Toowoomba Bypass: Shipping containers to be used to stop rockfalls as repairs to begin, Nexus to cover costs

Weeks after one direction of the $1.6bn Toowoomba Bypass was shut due to major safety issues, the government has revealed a stopgap measure to ensure one lane can open — and how much it will cost the taxpayers.

UPDATE: Taxpayers will not foot the bill for major repairs to the Toowoomba Bypass, which has suffered significant lane closures since issues were discovered last month.

Bypass contractor Nexus will on Friday create a stopgap measure in the form of double-stacked shipping containers to allow the reopening of one eastbound lane on the $1.6bn project.

It comes nearly a month after major problems were discovered in an earth cutting along the bypass, which created the risk of rocks and debris falling onto the road.

Transport and Main Roads southern Queensland regional director Bill Lansbury said the damage had been caused by significant wet weather throughout the past year.

New aerial images showcase the damage sustained to the cutting of the Toowoomba Bypass, which has been closed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads for repairs.

The shipping containers will be installed this week with a crane, requiring the westbound lanes to be closed on Friday for 24 hours.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Transport and Main Roads revealed all repairs and maintenance would be paid for by Nexus as part of a long-term agreement.

“The maintenance and operation of the Toowoomba Range Second Crossing is managed under a long-term contract that was established at the time of bypass construction with Nexus,” the statement said.

“Under this contract, the state government does not pay for these repairs, and the cost is a matter for Nexus.”

The spokeswoman said the latest matter was the third major works required since the bypass opened in 2019.

“There have been several other smaller repairs as part of the contractual obligations,” she said.

“Nexus has been responsive to the latest embankment issue and ensuring the safety of motorists and providing an interim solution to reopen eastbound access.”

The repairs will be started in 2023.

The Chronicle has attempted to contact Nexus about the repair costs.

EARLIER: Double-stacked shipping containers will be used to stop rocks falling onto the Toowoomba Bypass, after significant issues with the earth above the road were discovered.

Lead contractor Nexus and the Department of Transport and Main Roads have revealed its plan to re-open one of the eastbound lanes of the bypass next week, after they were both closed in late October when movement in a cutting above the road and cracks in the concrete were found.

TMR southern Queensland regional director Bill Lansbury said the damage had been caused by significant wet weather throughout the past year.

“The contractor Nexus is working as quickly as possible to reopen this important connection, but we’ll continue to prioritise the safety of the work crews and our community,” he said.

New aerial images showcase the damage sustained to the cutting of the Toowoomba Bypass, which has been closed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads for repairs.

“Extreme wet weather over 2022 has caused moisture to find its way into the cutting above the eastbound lane, causing movement to large wedges of material, and cracks in the concrete.”

Mr Lansbury said a short-term solution had been devised using double-stacked shipping containers, the installation of which would be completed on Friday.

“The temporary works involve the installation of shipping containers filled with ballast, which will act as a protective barrier to prevent any rock fall impacting the traffic lanes,” he said.

“In the critical section, the 20-foot shipping containers are being secured by restraint wires connected to 72 anchor bars which are drilled and grouted into the sandstone under the road.”

The westbound lanes will be closed on Friday to allow a crane to install the shipping containers, with work to permanently repair the cutting to start in 2023.

The Chronicle has requested costings for the repairs from the department.