Federal election - Coalition to announce Range bypass funding ...

Image - Brisbane Times.






Excerpt from Courier Mail:

Toowoomba bypass promise

22 October 2007

The Coalition will today promise to deliver the long-awaited second crossing of the Toowoomba Range, with a $700 million federal funding commitment.

Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile is expected to announce funding for the project while campaigning on the Darling Downs this morning.

On the drawing board for 15 years, the planned road would bypass Toowoomba, taking trucks away from busy urban streets.

It would also allow motorists travelling between the Darling Downs and Brisbane to avoid the existing steep and winding range crossing – a section of road with an accident rate four times that of the rest of the Warrego Highway.

It is understood the proposed 42km bypass would take traffic off the Warrego Highway at Helidon Spa in the east, linking up with the Gore Highway near Westbrook Creek on the western side of Toowoomba.

It would include two 735m tunnels at the top of the range, each carrying one-way traffic, with a 200m long viaduct on the eastern approach to the tunnels.
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[It] is understood the Government is not at this stage planning to make the new Toowoomba range crossing a toll road or to seek any private funding for it, although it could require a contribution from the State Government.
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See - Coalition to fund Range bypass.