Queensland’s state government has called for expressions of interest to begin the construction of the 41 km crossing, which will be the largest single road project ever undertaken in Queensland using a combination of state and federal funding.
The new route will run from the Warrego Highway east of Toowoomba, around the north of the city to the Gore Highway in the east.
This project will bring a number of benefits for Toowoomba residents, with heavy trucks directed around the city centre using the bypass, increasing safety for locals. The number of heavy commercial vehicles passing through Toowoomba is predicted to drop by around 80 per cent thanks to this project.
There will also be decreased travel times for locals, with a better flow of traffic throughout the region as a result of this new road.
The total cost for the range crossing is currently projected to be $1.285 billion, with the majority provided by the federal government.
Queensland’s state government also has a sizeable investment, putting $321.25 million in funding towards this total bill.
Queensland Treasurer Tim Nicholls suggested that interest has already been high among potential contractors looking to undertake the project.
“Interest in the project is strong, with more than 60 consortia and individual companies participating in the Registration of Interest phase earlier in the year,” said Mr Nicholls.
“We look forward to working with the private sector to deliver a safer, faster, more efficient alternative to the existing range crossing.”
This project is expected to bring strong demand for skilled workers in the area. The state government has estimated that more than 1,800 jobs will be created as a result of this project, along with ongoing demand for operations and maintenance support in the area.
Because of this strong job growth, it might be worth considering an apprenticeship in an area like civil construction. With construction beginning in the next few years, now is a good time to get the right skills under your belt.
With other projects in Toowoomba, like the recently announced inland rail route between Brisbane and Melbourne, there are an exciting range of opportunities in the area for skilled workers.
By Leanne de Toerkenczy, Public Relations Coordinator
