Cunningham Hwy's indefinite closure increases traffic on Warrego Hwy, Toowoomba Bypass

Police have issued a warning over a spike in crashes as the Cunningham Hwy's indefinite closure due to bushfire damage causes an increase in traffic on alternate routes heading west from Brisbane. SEE PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGE

Photos of the Cunningham Highway through Cunninghams Gap from the Department of Transport and Main Roads show the damage done to the road which has caused its closure for the foreseeable future.

UNSTABLE conditions through Cunninghams Gap due to bushfires has closed the highway and seen an increase of traffic on roads heading west of Brisbane.

Toowoomba police Crime Prevention Unit Sergeant Tony Rehn said Cunningham Highway would remain closed for the foreseeable future until damage assessments could be completed, and necessary repair works done.

Photos of the Cunningham Highway through Cunninghams Gap from the Department of Transport and Main Roads show the damage done to the road which has caused its closure for the foreseeable future.

Sgt Rehn said the closure had caused a significant increase in traffic volumes on the Warrego Highway and James St linking to the New England Highway, as well as the Toowoomba Bypass.

Minor collisions had been reported due to the traffic increases but no major incidents, with police imploring motorists to be vigilant until the Cunningham Highway re-opened.

Photos of the Cunningham Highway through Cunninghams Gap from the Department of Transport and Main Roads show the damage done to the road which has caused its closure for the foreseeable future.

“There’s been a lot of near misses,” Sgt Rehn said.

Photos shared by the Department of Transport and Main Roads show some of the damage to the network which require repairs.

“Like all fire-damaged areas of our network, we’ll need to make these areas safe before we re-open the road,” TMR posted on social media.

Photos of the Cunningham Highway through Cunninghams Gap from the Department of Transport and Main Roads show the damage done to the road which has caused its closure for the foreseeable future.

“Here at Cunninghams Gap, our crews will need to ensure the slopes beside the road are stable, signed repaired and fallen trees removed.”

The Cunningham Highway has been closed for about a week, with no set time frame for repair works to be completed and therefore it’s re-opening.

Motorists are advised to check the latest conditions at qldtraffic.qld.gov.au.

Originally published as Cunningham Hwy's indefinite closure increases traffic on Warrego Hwy, Toowoomba Bypass