Qld TMR pledges to fix the appalling state of the New England Highway between Allora and Glengallan

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has revealed when works will take place to fix a stretch of a southwest Queensland highway described as a ‘national highway disgrace’.

Motorists fearful of travelling along a regional southwest Queensland highway due to its state of disrepair can take comfort as the Department of Transport and Main Roads confirm rehabilitation works will go ahead.

Motorists have described the drive as ‘taking your life in your hands’ when travelling along the New England Highway between Allora and Glengallan, 15km south of Warwick, with boulder sized erosion at almost every turn.

Allora resident Jeff Lack told the Warwick Daily News he lives in fear of the worst each time one of his loved ones travel that stretch of highway.

“It feels as though we’re living in a third world country out here,” Mr Lack said.

“It’s not fair we have to hang on to the steering wheel to get from one place to another.”

Transport and Main Roads say there is a plan in the works to fix the appalling state of the New England Highway between Allora and Glengallan over the coming months.

Warwick Daily News reached out to TMR about the appalling state of the southwest Queensland highway, confirming rehabilitation works would go ahead.

“Works to rehabilitate the pavement on the New England Highway between Glengallan and Allora are being scheduled for the coming months,” a TMR spokesman said.

“The state-controlled road network is continually monitored under TMR’s Routine Maintenance Performance Contract and repairs are carried out when necessary to ensure the safety of road users.

“Following recent wet weather, temporary measures to manage the safety of the pavement condition on the New England Highway include temporary signage and reduced speed advice while repairs and maintenance are carried out.”

The spokesman said in the past six months the department had received 16 inquiries about the condition of this stretch of road.

“We understand the community’s frustration and thank them for their patience while we manage safety on our road network following recent heavy rainfall events,” the TMR spokesman said.

The state of the stretch of highway between Allora and Glengallan has come under fire by residents who are fed up avoiding giant potholes and erosion.

Member for Southern Downs James Lister and Leader of the Nationals David Littleproud were both approached for comment as to their commitment to fixing his stretch of highway.

Mr Lister said the stretch south of Allora wasn’t the only road in the region that needed attention

“Labor’s decade of extraordinary mismanagement and big city project budget blowouts sucked money away from QTRIP’s planned repair and upgrade program for our country Queensland roads, and the Crisafulli government was recently elected to turn things around,” Mr Lister said.

Mr Littleproud would not be drawn on whether he would advocate for funding an upgrade of the New England Highway should Peter Dutton win the May federal election.

“The Albanese government has ripped more than $30bn from regional infrastructure in just three years and the state of our roads is a reflection of that,” Mr Littleproud said.

“We will be committing to getting back basics and fixing and building regional roads as we proved when we were last in government.”