Works begin on connecting Towoomba from Second Range Crossing

Direct access between Toowoomba City and the $1.6 billion Toowoomba Second Range Crossing (TSRC) is one step closer, with works starting in the Mort Street area of Cranley.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said in a statement that construction for the Mort Street realignment, the Mort Street interchange and a new 230-metre bridge over Gowrie Creek will begin this November.

“This upgrade will increase freight efficiency, improve road safety, reduce business costs to transport goods, and ensure locals can get to their destinations quicker,” he said.

“This work will provide the most direct connection between Toowoomba City and the TSRC at Mort Street, just six kilometres from City Hall.”

Queensland Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey said in the statement that the Mort Street interchange would be complemented by another connection at Boundary Street to provide heavy vehicles with access to the fast-growing industrial areas on the western side of the city.

“The Mort Street interchange will be one of six connections with major arterial and local roads along the 41-kilometre toll road, and is one of 24 bridges being built by contractor Nexus,” he said

“When these enabling works are finished, traffic will be switched on to the new section of Mort Street. After the traffic switch, we will then start the next stage of works without any major disruption to motorists.”

The Mort Street interchange and the Gowrie Creek bridge early works are expected to be completed in mid-2017, weather permitting.

The TSRC is due to open by late 2018.

The Australian Government is contributing $1.137 billion, 80 per cent of the TSRC project cost, and the Queensland Government is contributing 20 per cent of the project cost through the PPP contract arrangements.