Range Crossing works to close part of Warrego Hwy

A MAJOR part of the road for some motorists will be closed as works continue on the Second Range Crossing.

work on the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing, June 2018

A MAJOR part of the Warrego Highway for some motorists will be closed for up to 12 weeks as works continue on the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing.

The centre median on the Warrego Highway at Postmans Ridge Road and Twidales Road will be temporarily closed as work is completed at the intersection for the crossing.

Nexus CEO John Hagan apologised for the closure that will remove right turn access at the intersection but said it was unsafe to leave it open during the works.

"The temporary closure of the median is necessary to avoid the risks associated with traffic passing through the work zone while attempting to turn right at the intersection," Mr Hagan said.

Traffic changes will take effect on the Warrego Highway at Helidon Spa from August 20 and will be in place for eight to 12 weeks. These works will involve:

• Switching traffic from the right hand (fast lane) to the left-hand lane (slow lane)
• Single lane closures to allow for works in the centre median between carriageways.
• The temporary closure of the median will require additional travel over short distances for light vehicles, and slightly longer additional travel for large trucks or buses, travelling east.

"We will provide a temporary u-turn facility 600m west of the intersection for vehicles (up to B-double) to maintain access to Postmans Ridge Road while right turns across the centre median of the Warrego Highway are restricted," Mr Hagan said.

"This temporary u-turn facility (for vehicles up to B-double) will be available for eastbound traffic to turn left from Twidales Road onto the highway and turn around to proceed eastbound on the Warrego Highway.

"Access from the Warrego Highway to Twidales Road will be maintained through the use of the u-turn facility at the Kellys Road intersection with the Warrego Highway, 1.4km east of the intersection closure."

Temporary alternative access from Warrego Highway to Postmans Ridge Road, Helidon Spa (above); and temporary access from Warrego Highway to Twidales Road (below). Picture: Contributed

Light vehicles will be able to travel past Twidales Road eastbound to u-turn at the Kellys Road intersection with the Warrego Highway.

Large trucks and buses will need to travel for an additional 4.4km eastbound to the Helidon u-turn facility to safely turn around and return to turn left into Twidales Road.

The westbound approach speed to Kellys Road will be reduced to improve safety for the u-turn traffic bound for Twidales Road.

Direction to Twidales Road will be provided by VMS signage on the approach to the Kellys Road u-turn.

The centre median will reopen on completion of these works.

Further information on the permanent removal of right-turn access at the intersection will be provided closer to the opening of the TSRC.

For more information on the temporary closure of the intersection please call Nexus on 1800 198 878, email [e-mail] visit www.nexusTSRC.com.au or www.QLDTraffic.qld.gov.au

Originally published as Range Crossing works to close part of Warrego Hwy