Drivers planning to use the Warrego Highway at Karalee this weekend should factor in detours and lengthy delays as work continues to restore the damaged Mount Crosby Road overpass.
The Queensland bridge was struck by an oversize truck in mid-2025. An intensive 24/7 works weekend is required to lift out and replace damaged bridge girders, said the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR).
TMR said these works will be undertaken using a large crane and will require significant road closures and detours.
The works will take place from 8pm Friday, January 16, until 5am Monday, January 19. TMR said traffic impacts will be significant, including:
· Full closure of the Warrego Highway westbound. Traffic will be detoured past the closure via the interchange exit and entry ramps.
· Partial closure (one lane open, one lane closed) of the Warrego Highway eastbound.
· Full closure of the Mount Crosby Road overpass in both directions.Northbound and southbound Mount Crosby Road traffic will be detoured via neighbouring interchanges on the Warrego Highway.
While the Warrego Highway is scheduled to open to daytime traffic on the morning of Monday, January 19, the Mount Crosby Road overpass will remain closed from Monday, January 19 until Saturday, January 24, while the immediate bridge girder reinstatement works are completed.
Information about the works and associated detours will be distributed on social media throughout the bridge restoration.
What to expect during the works weekend
· Significant delays of 30 minutes on the Warrego Highway during peak times.
· Significant delays of 35 minutes on Mount Crosby Road during peak times.
· Motorists are encouraged to plan their trips in advance and avoid the works area where possible.
· Mount Crosby Road overpass traffic northbound will be detoured onto the Warrego Highway westbound to return via the Kholo Road interchange. Motorists travelling north from Ipswich are encouraged to access the Kholo Road interchange via Pine Mountain Road and avoid Mount Crosby Road.
· Mount Crosby Road overpass traffic southbound will be detoured onto the Warrego Highway eastbound to return via the River Road interchange.
What to expect following the works weekend (January 19 onwards)
Works will reduce to nights only. Typical working hours will be 8pm to 5am, Sunday to Friday, weather and construction conditions permitting. The Mount Crosby Road overpass will remain totally closed for up to a week while structural works are completed.
· Mount Crosby Road overpass will remain closed day and night in both directions from Monday 19 January until Saturday 24 January. The following detours will be in place:
- Mount Crosby Road overpass traffic northbound will be detoured onto the Warrego Highway westbound to return via the Kholo Road interchange.
- Motorists travelling north from Ipswich are encouraged to access the Kholo Road interchange via Pine Mountain Road and avoid Mount Crosby Road.
- Mount Crosby Road overpass traffic southbound will be detoured onto the Warrego Highway eastbound to return via the River Road interchange.
- Nightly closures of the Warrego Highway westbound after 10pm. Traffic will be detoured past the closure via the interchange exit and entry ramps.
During the final stages of night works from February to April the Mount Crosby Road overpass will be open under alternating flow with traffic controllers.
No detours around the overpass will be required. The Warrego Highway will operate normally. Works carried out during this time will include realignment of the bridge approaches and footpath reconstruction.