Mayor puts inland rail on agenda at Toowoomba bypass launch
BREAKING: The start of major construction at the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing will be looked back on in 2043, when a time capsule is re-opened.
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UPDATE: THE start of major construction at the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing will be looked back on in 2043, when a time capsule is re-opened.
Politicians from both sides of governments at all levels joined the event, that was also marked with the first bulldozer brought on site.
Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts said the start of the $1.6 billion, 41km project was a great moment, but "if we have any more sod turnings we won't need any bulldozers".
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester opened the event saying the infrastructure would change lives and save lives as well as reducing congestion on the roads.
Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio used the sod-turning event to get into the ear of Mr Chester to discuss the inland rail project.
Cr Antonio has been outspoken on his desire for federal funding in the next budget to get the project under way.
He said the "perfect scenario" would be to have the workers from the TSRC able to move across to work on the inland rail.
Mr Chester said he was serious about the inland rail project.
Murphy's Creek State School Grade 5 students Gabrielle Aiken and Lutin Cliff shared their thoughts of the future in letters included in a time capsule, alongside their classmates letters, The Chronicle newspapers, photos and parts of the Nexus Infrastructure uniform.
Gabrielle was expecting clothing would be size adjustable with Lutin expecting solar powered cars in the streets when petrol runs out.
Teacher Aide Susan McIndoe said for a school with 67 students, to be part of the ceremony was exciting.
"A lot of us are local so when it comes time to lift the capsule, hopefully there will still be many of us around to be there," she said.
UPDATE: Major construction has officially started on the $1.6 billion Toowoomba Second Range Crossing.
A sod turning ceremony has started outside Nexus Infrastructure's base during the bypass build on Hermitage Rd just outside of Toowoomba.
Minister for Main Roads Mark Bailey, Minister for Infrastructure Darren Chester, Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio and Groom MP Ian Macfarlane are in attendance.
Construction will start with vegetation clearing in the bypass corridor.
EXPLAINED: The $1.6b Toowoomba Second Range Crossing
TIMELINE: What to expect during the bypass build
JOBS: How to get work on the Toowoomba bypass
The first major works will start next month with construction of an 800m long viaduct bridge to the east of Mt Kynoch.
About 1800 jobs are expected to be created during more than two years of construction.
Information sessions have been held across key areas in Toowoomba for residents to find out how the construction will affect them.
The Bedford St and Hermitage Rd has been cleared for offices and huts for workers to begin the process of vegetation clearing.
EARLIER: Nexus Infrastructure will mark the next milestone in the construction of the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing when sod-turning ceremony is held on-site today.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester and Groom MP Ian Macfarlane will turn the sod.
Offices and huts have been set up at Hermitage Rd for staff ahead of vegetation clearing and tree removal to begin this month.
Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio is waiting in anticipation for the flow-on effects of the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing to hit the region.
He said the community should be delighted to follow the journey of construction and watch on as it shapes the region.
"Our role now is to make sure we get the bypass built but a fair bit of benefit flows to the community, there's real opportunity for the local people," he said.
"It will be competitive."
Nexus Infrastructure's chief executive officer John Hagan this month reaffirmed the commitment to have 75 per cent of their workforce sourced locally.
Cr Antonio said real estate agents would be "rubbing their hands together" as the construction began and the region soaked up extra workers. About 1800 local jobs are expected to be created during the project.
Vegetation clearing along the 41km corridor will begin later this month and continue until September.
The project is expected to be finished by December 2018.
The last sod turning for the Second Range Crossing was held in December, attended by Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss as well as local, state and federal representatives.
Information sessions have been held in Harlaxton and Postmans Ridge this month.
RELATED STORIES
- Toowoomba bypass hit by delays, FIFO worker concerns
- How you can help build the Toowoomba bypass
- How to get a job on the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing
- Confident Nexus CEO promises region jobs
- Bypass build to inject $2.4b in Toowoomba economy
Originally published as Mayor puts inland rail on agenda at Toowoomba bypass launch
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