Delay frustrates motorists

ROADWORKS on the Warrego Highway near Minden continue to frustrate drivers with little visible work being done.

ROADWORKS on the Warrego Highway near Minden continue to frustrate drivers with little visible work being done.

The highway has been reduced to a single lane in each direction, with the speed limit slashed from 100kmh to 40kmh.

The stretch of road is also a regular site for police vehicles, with patrol cars parked at each end of the roadworks.

The road is devoid of most heavy road plant, with the installation of guard rails the only visible work being undertaken.

A spokesperson for the Department of Transport and Main Roads said the work initially had been scheduled to be completed in July.

"The installation of the safety guard rail barrier was not in the original scope of works, which involved repairs to the cut slopes following heavy rainfall in January," the spokesperson said.

"The work to stabilise the cut slopes and prevent further collapses was completed in July. Following this, Transport and Main Roads requested that Origin Alliance install a guard rail barrier to further improve safety for motorists."

The spokesperson said the completion of the work had been delayed by the presence of rock where the rails were being installed.

"Solid rock was discovered in the guard rail barrier location, so a special geotechnical drilling rig was required for the posts. This has increased the duration of the works," the spokesperson said.

The department said that due to the initial lack of barriers, the speed limit had been reduced to protect workers from traffic.

"It is extremely dangerous to work near a motorway, and as there are no anti-gawk screens or pre-cast concrete barriers to protect our workers, the requirement is to move traffic away from the works area and reduce the speed limit

"At this location, heavy vehicles in particular pose safety issues for workers, and extra resources are needed to ensure motorists slow down when travelling through the work site."

The Warrego Hwy was severely damaged during the floods with the Minden stretch of road having a huge amount of water run through it.

Work has been done to the mountain the highway cuts through, with drains installed to better manage heavy downpours.

Originally published as Delay frustrates motorists