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Calls grow for truck toll discount on troubled Toowoomba Bypass

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Graeme Hoare has to keep tabs on up to 50 trucks a week that traverse the troubled Toowoomba Bypass in his role as compliance manager for Martins Stock Haulage.

At a toll rate of $27.88 per truck one-way, Hoare said the company’s bill can be as high as $25,000 a month.

Why then, is the Queensland Government still charging companies such as Martins the full price for using a $1.6 billion road that is still not functioning as it should five years after opening, demands a frustrated Hoare.

“The tolls should be cut or scrapped altogether until the road is properly fixed,” Hoare said.

The 41km road, also known as the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing, funnels trucks off the busy streets of Toowoomba and was hailed as a godsend for the fast-growing regional hub and trucking industry when it opened in 2019.

But it’s been plagued by building delays and workplace violations, according to various news reports.

A low point came in November 2022 when shipping containers filled with ballast were installed to prevent rock falls after a ‘weather event’ earlier that year exposed structural defects.

Since then, there’s been a number of lane closures to allow crews to repair the damaged retaining wall.

Hoare said those closures are a constant safety hazard for truckies because of the knock-on impact it has with motorists on the descent.

Compliance manager Graeme Hoare wants to see a toll discount for operators on the troubled bypass. Image: 7News

“Where we merge over to the right-hand lane, there is a safety concern because we’re at very low speed, but everyone’s coming up on us pretty quick.

“We’re on the home straight of getting it all right, but what’s going to happen after the next major weather event?”

Hoare is adamant no one wants to be forced back through Toowoomba city, as has been the case on a regular basis over the last few years.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) said it couldn’t answer questions about toll concessions due to it being in ‘caretaker mode’ before the state election on October 26.

But Queensland Trucking Association CEO Gary Mahon told Big Rigs that the conversation was long overdue.

“We don’t think it’s an unreasonable ask that if you’re going to reduce its capability by 50 per cent, you could reduce the toll by 50 per cent, until such time that it’s remedied,” Mahon said.

“It’s a tremendous value proposition for the freight task, both in Queensland, and also down the eastern seaboard, and it’s fair to say it’s had a continuing set of issues from not a whole lot longer after its opening.”

Mahon said it’s concerning that there doesn’t seem to be any sign of a solution to the long-running instability issues in the crumbling embankment.

“So, we think it’s time that serious consideration be given to that toll being discounted.”

Hoare’s other major safety concern is around the section of bypass near the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, heading eastbound, which he says should have been dual carriageway, not single lane.

“There’s an uphill section which is reasonably steep, and cars are getting impatient and overtaking us and there have been a number of near misses.

“I think there actually has been a head-on over there and that concerns me. Why did the road get built and not have an overtaking lane in that section?

“It’s a $1.6 billion road and there’s no overtaking lane eastbound near the Wellcamp Airport on the uphill section.

“Everyone just gets stuck behind us because we’re slow.”

TMR said it is continuing to progress construction works on the Toowoomba Bypass.

“TMR is continuing to monitor progress closely and will update motorists once repairs are complete.

“The single lane closure for eastbound traffic between the viaduct and Morley Road will need to remain in place for the duration of the works to ensure the safety of road users.

As for the construction of a dual carriageway at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, the TMR spokesperson said that was outside the scope of the Toowoomba Bypass project.

“Any proposed work regarding a dual carriageway being built at the eastbound section near Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport would need to be considered for funding in future, against other competing state-wide priorities.”

Meanwhile, there is at least one positive on the horizon in the form of the proposed Charlton Bypass off the Toowoomba Bypass on to the Warrego Highway, said Hoare.

“So that’ll miss all the traffic lights in Charlton, the new industrial area in Toowoomba.

“That’ll be very positive for the industry and that area will only get busier with the industrial area taking off out there.”

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