CROSSING’S KEY LINKS FINISHED
But still no word on release of toll figure
THE Toowoomba Second Range Crossing has taken a significant leap forward with the completion of upgrades to two major roads.
The Griffiths and Mort Sts upgrades, officially opened yesterday, have created Toowoomba’s main links to the crossing.
But key questions about toll prices and a firm completion date for the $1.6 billion project are yet to be answered.
TWO key links to the $1.6 billion Second Range Crossing are now open, but the government remains quiet on the potential toll costs.
The Griffiths St and Mort St Upgrade Projects were unveiled yesterday and will be the primary connection between the TSRC and the New England Highway.
The Griffiths St upgrades include construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Old Goombungee Rd and Griffiths St.
The Mort St upgrade provides a new northern entrance into the city. The upgrade is from the intersection of Mort/ West/Jellicoe to north of Hogg St, where the road connects to the TSRC.
Mayor Paul Antonio said the new roads helped to provide accessibility to the TSRC – a network that will shear “20 minutes off travel time to the Brisbane ports”.
“It will save (truck companies) a tremendous amount of fuel,” Cr Antonio said.
Groom MP John McVeigh said the eastern part of the crossing was “months” from completion.
However, the public is still awaiting news on the road’s toll system.
Member for Toowoomba North Trevor Watts said the toll needed to be disclosed so logistics companies could plan their future.
“I’ve called on the (state) minister to get off his hands and tell us what the toll is going to be – we all know there is going to be (one),” he said.
Assistant Minister for Roads and Transport Scott Buchholz said it would “be the purview of the state to nominate a figure”.
A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokeswoman said tolls would be finalised closer to the opening of the road.
The impact that constructing the links had on residents and businesses was also raised.
“I think (residents) felt there would be a degree of dislocation,” Cr Antonio said. “When you build infrastructure like this someone is going to be affected.
“We work with those people and will continue to work with them.”
The TSRC is due to be finished mid year, but an end date has not been disclosed.