RANGE CHAOS
DOWN SECTION CLOSED AFTER TRUCK ROLLOVER
PERIODIC total closures of the Toowoomba Range caused chaos for truck drivers and eastbound commuters after a truck rolled early yesterday morning.
The flatbed truck carting a 42-tonne piece of mining machinery equipment tipped on its left side at the top of the range about 3am.
While the driver managed to escape without injury, the heavy haulage truck blocked the left lane of the range down section and caused one lane to be closed for more than 12 hours.
Traffic built quickly despite efforts from police and Transport and Main Roads officials to divert vehicles around the truck which damaged two power poles on the roadside.
Cars and smaller vehicles were urged to use Murphys Creek Rd or head east through Flagstone Creek, but trucks and semi-trailers were forced to wait at the top of the range.
It is believed early morning rainfall was a contributing factor to the incident.
The truck was righted shortly before noon and was cleared from the scene in the early afternoon.
But the 42-tonne piece of mining machinery wasn’t cleared from the area until about dusk when two cranes lifted it onto the back of a second flatbed truck and cleared from the area.
It is understood the tipped truck had been travelling south from North Queensland and had been directed through
Toowoomba on its way to Brisbane.
The up and down section of the range was closed intermittently while the incident was cleared.
Former truck driver Trevor Young said the incident raised concerns about the future use of the range once the bypass was completed.
Mr Young said it was critical the range remained a diversion option for trucks.
“You get some clown across the road - a truck, caravan, but or whatever - at least you can divert them up through Withcott and through here,” he said.
“If it’s Goondiwindi to Brisbane, you can divert them through Toowoomba.”