Have some patience if driving in CBD this morning

MAJOR changes to one of the city’s busiest CBD streets have come to fruition with the reopening of Neil St yesterday to two-way traffic.

Neil Street re-opens as two-way street. Picture: Bev Lacey

MAJOR changes to one of the city’s busiest CBD streets have come to fruition with the reopening of Neil St yesterday to two-way traffic.

Despite a slow start due to delayed line markings and construction works, Toowoomba drivers now have the option of turning left onto Neil St from Herries and Margaret Sts.

The controversial reversal to two-way traffic had been met with resistance from the community but the Toowoomba Regional Council forged ahead with its plan to ease congestion and speed up commute times.

“The changeover of Neil St to two-way traffic took place as scheduled,” a council spokesman said.

“The changeover took a little longer than expected due to some slight delays during the road marking, but traffic was flowing by mid-afternoon and council was continuing to monitor the situation.”

The spokesman said safety signs would remain in place to remind drivers but early indications were that drivers had adapted to the changes.

“Safety is council’s top priority and extra signage and pavement treatments have been put in place to alert motorists and pedestrians to the changed conditions,” he said.

“Traffic was adapting well to the changed conditions yesterday afternoon.

“Council would like to thank the community for their patience and cooperation.’’

New traffic lights, conduits, concrete medians, chevrons and further line marking were installed along Neil St and a centre pedestrian refuge installed at the Bell Street Mall area.

Bus zones and the pedestrian crossing area at the Empire Theatre had been maintained.

Toowoomba Bus Station traffic can now exit left and right onto Neil St, with cars able to enter the interchange from either direction.

The changes round out the recent conversions of Russell St from Ruthven St to Neil St to two-way traffic.

Originally published as Have some patience if driving in CBD this morning