Toowoomba Regional Council to close West and Stephen Street intersection for road works

A notorious intersection, which experts have expressed concerns about and has been the site of numerous crashes, will be upgraded by the council in the coming months. Here’s what you need to know.

Queensland Police Service Forensic Crash Unit investigate a serious crash at the intersection of Stephen and Wests Street in July 2024.

A notorious West Street intersection will be upgraded as Toowoomba Regional Council prepares to roll out a series of safety improvements.

The Stephen Street intersection will have new pedestrian crossing facilities, improved pram ramps, curb and drainage systems.

There will also be changes to the traffic signals and traffic light phasing.

TRC Construction and Maintenance spokeswoman Carol Taylor said safety improvements were a priority.

“We want to minimise any risks and ensure our road infrastructure is as safe as possible for our community,” Ms Taylor said.

The intersection has been the scene of several serious traffic crashes.

In 2024 two people were hospitalised after a crash in August, while a motorcyclist suffered critical injuries after he crashed into a ute in July.

Last year, experts expressed concern about the stretch of road, and said it’s problems were the result of “persistent driving habits, poor planning decisions, and a lack of political will”.

There will be traffic disruptions during the work.

“We are conducting night works and staging any road closures to ensure all road users, pedestrians and residents of the area are impacted as little as possible,” Ms Taylor said.

Road closures and detours will be in place, however the council will maintain local access to residences and businesses within the closure areas.

Road closures

The following dates are subject to weather and construction conditions permitting.

• Sunday, June 8 (night works 6pm-6am. West Street (northern leg) will be closed for one night.

• Monday, June 9 (night works 6:30pm-6am. West Street (southern leg) will be closed for one night.

• Wednesday June 11 to Sunday June 22. Stephen Street (western leg) will be closed for about 1.5 weeks.

• Monday June 23 to Friday July 4. Stephen Street (eastern leg) will the closed for about two weeks.

• Early July. Full intersection closure will be required for one night only. A separate notice will be distributed closer to this closure. Both Stephen Street legs will remain closed until new traffic signals are commissioned.

• Early to late July. Additional day works with impacts on Stephen Street legs of the intersection. Western leg of Stephen Street closed for about one week. Eastern leg of Stephen Street closed for about one week.