Toowoomba Bypass

The city of Toowoomba is situated on a plateau on the edge of the Great Dividing Range. A defining characteristic of the city is its high position on an escarpment of the range, which enjoys sweeping views of the Lockyer Valley below. The existing range road was completed in its current alignment in 1939. This road has unfavourable road geometry including tight corners and a rate of climb as high as 10.5%. Planning The need for a future second range crossing was first highlighted by Queensland Transport in 1991. A pilot tunnel 2.4m wide and 3.0m high was dug to provide detailed geological information. The pilot tunnel was in the centre of where the westbound tunnel was proposed. Nexus was chosen on the basis that its proposal used an open-cut design instead of tunnels, allowing trucks carrying dangerous goods to utilise the bypass. Milestones Bridge) • 31 January 2014 – Federal and state governments agreed to underwrite $1.6 billion to build a tunnel • 21 August 2015 – The Nexus Infrastructure consortium awarded to finance, build, operate and maintain the motorway. • Late 2018 – Scheduled completion. Originally scheduled for late 2018, but geological issues on embankment 24 set back expected completion by 4 to 7 months. • 7 September 2019 – Community Events including an open day featuring a walk on the viaduct, a 73km bike ride and a 42km marathon. • 8 September 2019 – Formal Opening Ceremony. Opening to traffic starting from 6pm. 3 month toll free period begins. ==Benefits==

The benefits of the new road to road users and the community, as claimed by the Queensland Government, include: • Avoids up to 18 sets of traffic lights in Toowoomba • Reduces travel time (by up to 40 minutes) and greater travel time reliability • Improved freight efficiency by redirecting up to 80% of heavy and super heavy commercial vehicles away from the Toowoomba central business district • Reduction in vehicle operating costs by ensuring a maximum slope gradient of 6.5% across the Toowoomba Range, a significant decrease from the existing range crossing which is up to 10% • Accommodate regional growth and increase productivity on the Darling Downs • Safer and less congested route than the existing range crossing ==Route description==

The Bypass commences just west of Postmans Ridge Road on the Warrego Highway. It deviates north-west passing up the range at a maximum gradient of 6%. After travelling for approximately , the road passes over the long Multuggerah Viaduct and then through a cutting, passing under the New England Highway at the top of the range. The posted speed limit is for its entirety except between Charlton and Mort Street where it is . The speed limit is enforced by a point-to-point speed camera. ==State-controlled road==

The Toowoomba Second Range Crossing is a state-controlled national road (number 319). ==Tolls==

The Toowoomba Bypass is tolled between Mort Street and Helidon Spa, with the single toll point located just east of the Mort Street interchange near the New England Highway overpass. It is a free-flow system requiring an electronic toll tag (e-TAG). It is mandatory for heavy vehicles to use the toll road unless they have a destination in Toowoomba or Warwick. Even though the bypass is tolled, it is owned and operated by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR). Transurban Queensland provides tolling service on the bypass on behalf of TMR. ==Exits==