5 April, 2023
Roadworks underway on Toowoomba-Cecil Plains Road
Repairs to sections of the Toowoomba–Cecil Plains Road, which was severely damaged by heavy rainfall and flooding last year, have now commenced at Evanslea.
Work including repairing and resealing the surface, repairing culverts and cleaning drains will take approximately eight months to complete.
Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
The notorious stretch of road west of Mount Tyson will be targeted, most notably a large section prone to flooding near the Jondaryan-Evanslea Road intersection, and a stretch in between Peters Road and Bethlehem Lutheran Church at Norwin.
Work hours will fall between 6am and 6pm, from Monday to Saturday for most of the project, with works near Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport to be carried out between 6pm and 6am from Monday to Saturday.
Ashley Schelburg from Mount Tyson said he’s already had RoadTech workers come out to his farm.
Farmer Josh Bielefield who lives on the road at Norwin said he’s happy to cooperate with the Department of Transport and Main Roads if they need to use his property.
“We’re happy to work with the guys that come out,” he said.
Ashley said the road upgrades are much needed.
“We’ve had pot holes, the road just fell to bits after the floods..
“I’ve got Road Tech on my farm currently to help fix it up.”
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said the Government is committed to fixing the road.
“The heavy rainfall has led to widespread and severe damage across the region, so a significant program of reconstruction works will be undertaken over the next 18 months,” he said.
“Like the many roads across the Darling Downs, Toowoomba–Cecil Plains Road was impacted by multiple heavy rainfall events last year, which compounded damage to the road surface and drainage systems.
“We just want to see the road fixed. “
Queensland’s Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the works on Toowoomba–Cecil Plains Road will include repairing and resealing the surface, repairing culverts and cleaning drains to ensure the safety and connection of rural communities in the Jondaryan district.
"Works started in late March and will take about eight months to complete, weather and construction conditions permitting,” he said.
"Temporary single-lane closures and a reduced speed limit of either 40 kilometres an hour or 60 kilometres an hour,dependent on location, will be in place during work hours only.”
As of today, these conditions are in place at the Jondaryan-Evanslea Road intersection, with the westbound lane undergoing major resurfacing works.
The Minister urged road users to adjust their driving habits to the new road conditions along the stretches being resurfaced.
“The safety of motorists and road workers is of top priority and we urge the public to drive to traffic conditions and obey all signs, traffic signals and instructions from traffic controllers during this time,” he said.
"We thank you for your patience and understanding during the delivery of these important works."
This is not the first time that the Toowoomba-Cecil Plains road has undergone resurfacing upgrades.
A Queensland Govern-ment project to plan safety upgrades, at a cost of $250,000, was completed in December 2021, and the road underwent similar works around that time.
One resident told The Oakey Champion that he believed a complete rather than partial resurfacing was needed given the road’s susceptibility to flooding during major rain events.
Residents are now hoping that the Toowoomba Regional Council will follow suit by upgrading the poorly surfaced council roads along the same stretch.
These include the notorious Bowenville-Norwin Road, Bongeen Road and Evanslea Road, which were also impacted by last year’s heavy rain and flooding.
For up-to-date information on traffic disruptions, visit the 13 19 40 Queensland Traffic website at www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au or call 13 19 40.
