Bypass opening event
Celebrations announced for big day
THE Toowoomba community will get the opportunity to get up close to the Toowoomba Bypass during a special open day.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads announced an open day will be held on the new road on September 7, after the Ride the Range bike ride.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the views and get up close to the engineering masterpiece that has transformed the Toowoomba landscape,” a spokesperson for the department said.
“The public is invited to walk a 2km section of the newly completed (bypass) between Mort St interchange and the viaduct, before it opens to traffic.
“The open day will open from 11am and run through to 5pm. Visitors will be able to walk to the viaduct enjoying a variety of community food and information stalls, as well as a selection of vintage cars from local clubs on display. From there they can choose to experience the 800m viaduct, taking in the incredible outlook over the Lockyer Valley.”
The spokesperson said access to the bypass on the open day would only be via free buses.
“All visitors must pre-register,” the spokesperson said.
“Designated pick up locations are Neil St Bus Interchange (central route) and Charlton Speedway (western route). There is no public parking at the event site. There will be no ATM onsite, bring cash for food and drink stalls.”
The Toowoomba Bypass connects the Warrego Highway at Helidon to the Gore Highway at Athol. It is expected to remove most of the trucks from James St in the Toowoomba CBD.
The open day will be one of several events that celebrates the opening of the Bypass.
The Ride the Range event will take place on September 7, while a marathon will be held on it on September 8. The bypass will open to traffic on the evening of September 8.