Toowoomba-based ex-truckie Glen Miller has a timely reminder for drivers forced to detour through the city while a section of the eastbound bypass lanes is closed for repair work.
Don’t whatever you do, follow the GPS and turn east off Mort Street on to North Street, warns Miller, who has many years under his belt driving multi-combinations.
“They had no signs up and guys were following the GPS and getting into all sorts of trouble,” said Miller.
“There is a low 3.5m rail overpass with a 45 plus degree plus incline as you come out from under it.
“You also can not turn around, or turn off to avoid it, once on North Street. I’ve had to call the cops twice to do traffic so they can get out of the situation.”
Miller said the answer is to go up one more intersection to Jellicoe Street and turn east with no overpasses to contend with.
“I have personally seen two road train tautliners get stuck as they could not go under and a grain hauler road train lightly kiss the underside as they went through.”
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) announced last week the eastbound lanes of the bypass between the Warrego West interchange at Charlton and the Warrego East interchange at Helidon Spa, will be closed to through traffic for at least a week.
The call was made as a “safety precaution” due to movements detected in a cutting east of the New England Highway.
The eastbound lanes between Boundary Street interchange and the Mort Street interchange will remain open.
Big Rigs as asked TMR today for a further update on the length of the closures.
The only industry update since the initial notice is the below information which was released on Friday:
Approved eastbound route through Toowoomba
Warrego Highway, Troys Road, Carrington Road, Taylor Street, Tor Street, James Street, Toowoomba Connection Road, Warrego Highway. Please see map below.
Detour and restrictions
Vehicles between 3.5m – 6.2m wide and no higher than 5.4m
Only permitted to travel through Toowoomba between 9pm-5am
No permit amendment required.
Vehicles between 6.21m – 7.9m wide and no higher than 5.4m
Only permitted to travel through Toowoomba between 11pm-3am
Must submit a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) for the alternate route only. TMR approval is required prior to travel.
Download example TMP
Email your completed TMP to qldaccess_hvropo@tmr.qld.gov.au
TMP must identify pinch points and wrong side of road travel on the approved alternate route.
Vehicles 7.9m wide and above
Only permitted to travel through Toowoomba between 11pm-3am
Must identify an alternate route.
Submit a permit application, with a completed TMP through the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.
The westbound lanes remain unrestricted for all oversize vehicles.
TMR reminds operators that it is your responsibility to make sure you’re using up-to-date information when you assess the suitability of your route.
“You must check the Conditions of Operation Database before you start your journey,” said the latest update.
Visit the QLDTraffic website, download the app or call 13 19 40 to report an incident or get real-time traffic reports.
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