Southern Free Times - 28th January 2021

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Thursday, 28 January, 2021

0408 457 496 Phone: 07 4661 9800 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808

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A Star News Group Publication

53 Fitzroy Street, Warwick Qld 4370 www.helenharm.com

Roni’s OAM honour

Stanthorpe Gallery update

What’s in the diary

Oz Day Cricket Carnival

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PAGES 40-41, SPIN

Eight Mile’s start By Jeremy Sollars Work on the construction of an overpass at the Eight Mile intersection north of Warwick is expected to commence within the next fortnight following the awarding of State Government contracts for the $25 million project. The long-term ‘grade separation’ fix for the intersection - which has been the site of numerous fatalities and near-misses over decades - will involve the construction of an overpass bridge or flyover for traffic heading southbound through the intersection. Traffic heading east to Brisbane from both the Warwick and Toowoomba sides of the intersection will continue at ground level, as will traffic heading north from Warwick to Toowoomba. The massive project will also include extensive earthworks and associated engineering treatments and will take at least 12 months to complete - the anticipated completion date is February 2022. Joint funding for the project was announced by the Federal and State Governments in late 2020, part of a Covid-19 related capital works program for Queensland worth an estimated $26.9 billion - and touted to create more than 23,600 jobs state-wide. Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey this week told the Free Times the Eight Mile project would create 50 jobs, but did not indicate what proportion of these would be ‘local’. The government in December awarded the construction contract for the Eight Mile to JF Hull Holdings, an international engineering firm with a Queensland operations base and a background in bridge construction. Extensive traffic disruptions are expected over the course of the construction over the next 12 months or more and the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) says signage will advise motorists on a regular basis and updates will be provided to the Free Times. “Work will start next month (February) on the jointly-funded $25 million Eight Mile intersection upgrade on the Cunningham Highway,” Mr Bailey said this week. “The project will include a 66-metre-long overpass for traffic travelling from Toowoomba to Warwick, enhancing driving safety and improving capacity along this critical route for

the region. It’ll also include a new roadway to allow for approaches to the overpass, a new Toowoomba to Ipswich exit-merge lane, two culverts and lighting. “Importantly, the project will support 50 jobs as it’s built - jobs in industries like construction, engineering and traffic management. “We know better roads get families home safely, transport our world-class exports to markets across Australia and the globe, and stimulate jobs.” “It’s why the Palaszczuk and Australian governments last week also announced another 87 road safety projects worth close to $300 million that’ll get started within the next six months. “The Southern Downs region pumps $2 billion into Queensland’s economy every year, and improving safety and capacity on the Eight Mile intersection will help to drive the region’s economy forward.” TMR said works will be carried out between 6am and 6pm, Monday to Friday with a reduced speed limit of 40km/h in place during these hours. “Most of the construction works will be conducted under road-shoulder closures and offline traffic management. “Some situations will require stop/slow lane closures on the existing New England Highway to facilitate works. “Traffic control signs will be erected to direct traffic through the works and delays will be kept to a maximum of 10 minutes wherever safely possible. “The safety of motorists and road workers is the department’s top priority and motorists are asked to drive to the traffic conditions and obey all signage, traffic signals and instructions from traffic controllers during the course of the works. “We thank you for your patience and understanding during the delivery of these important works and apologise for any inconvenience they may cause. Local contacts for more information ... Phone: 4639 0777 Email: DownsSWR.Office@tmr.qld.gov.au Page 3 - Latest on Cunningham’s Gap

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Stanthorpe to kick off Show Season for 2021... The dedicated volunteer organisers have been preparing for weeks behind the scenes to bring the community the 2021 Stanthorpe Show - check out our 16-page special feature with details of what’s on and when inside this week’s Southern Free Times...

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