Calm before the storm: Range works under way

REGULAR users of the Range crossing roads have begun donating their time and patience in return for a safer highway between Toowoomba and Withcott.

Roadworks have started on the Toowoomba Range today. Picture: Nev Madsen

REGULAR users of the Range crossing roads have begun donating their time and patience in return for a safer highway between Toowoomba and Withcott.

Upgrade works began on the Warrego Hwy today, marking the start of 12 months of lengthy delays.

A quick trip from the top of the Range to Withcott and back in a Chronicle car yesterday morning revealed the trip, in light traffic conditions, took four minutes and 49 seconds on the way down and five minutes and nine seconds on the way back up.

Electronic signs bearing warnings of delays were the first on-site indications that those times would be extended to 34 minutes and 49 seconds and 35 minutes and nine seconds respectively during the most intense periods of work.

It is a major concern for South Queensland Parcel Service depot manager David Scorer.

He understands the need for the work but predicts the impact, on top of the other roadworks taking place on the New England Hwy and Warrego Hwy to Dalby, could be severe.

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One of his vehicles drives to Brisbane twice daily.

"There is two hours on that vehicle," Mr Scorer said.

The problem is compounded when he tries to move freight from Brisbane to Dalby in the same day.

Mr Scorer said roadworks west of Toowoomba were adding between 20 and 30 minutes to the trip in each direction.

He said drivers were feeling frustrated and pressured when returning from afternoon deliveries to Dalby.

"I told the drivers today to try it and see what happens."

Originally published as Calm before the storm: Range works under way