Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Scott Emerson and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss say plans to duplicate 5.7 kilometres of the Warrego Highway have been approved. Photo Andrew Backhouse / The Chronicle
ROAD deaths on the Warrego Highway to Oakey will be slashed with the stretch between Toowoomba and Oakey to be duplicated.
The $110 million announced yesterday is first stage of the $635 million Warrego Highway upgrade.
Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the works would duplicate 5.7 kilometres of the Warrego Highway, providing two lanes in each direction between Charlton and Cotswold Hills, to the west of Toowoomba.
"We are prioritising construction of this section of the Warrego Highway because it will intersect with the future Toowoomba second Range crossing," Mr Truss said.
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Scott Emerson said that beyond the significant economic benefits, the project was part of a strong plan to deliver safety improvements for drivers on the Warrego Highway.
"The duplication will separate eastbound and westbound traffic, markedly reducing the chances of head-on collisions," Mr Emerson said.
"Truck drivers, farmers and commuters will all look forward to construction on the project starting early next year, with completion due at the end of 2016."
The Federal Government has committed $88 million to stage one with the Queensland Government providing $22 million.
RACQ executive manager Michael Roth said the duplication of the black spot stretch was welcome.
"It is a dangerous section with a large amount of freight traffic and local traffic due to its proximity to Toowoomba."
He said higher volume of traffic spurred drivers to take risks.
"They're not keen on long delays behind slow trucks."
Stage two of the project will involve $160 million to extend the four-lane highway a further 4km westward to Kingsthorpe.
Construction will start in 2017.
Every dollar spent on the project is expected to return more than five times the cost of the investment.
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