Roading boost for Toowoomba revealed in budget

Queenslanders involved in the roading industry are pleased that the federal budget announced funding to build a second Toowoomba range crossing.

Valued at $1.2 billion, it's believed the crossing will add around $50 billion in productivity over the Surat Basin project's lifetime.

With $700 million set aside for the construction of the Second Range Crossing and an assurance of up to $1.3 million, depending on private investment for the project, there is now nothing standing in the way of the Toowoomba community finally seeing this vital piece of infrastructure delivered," said Toowoomba Mayor, Paul Antonio.

The crossing will help traffic more efficiently reach the Surat Basin, an area that sees a lot of traffic thanks to its gas infrastructure.

This will also help to open up the Outback areas of Queensland, according to Shane Charles, spokesperson for the Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise.

Queensland also received funding for other road projects, so it looks like there may be increased demand for traffic signs in future.

A further $508 million has been set aside to upgrade the Warrego Highway between Toowoomba and Miles.

This upgrade is expected to incorporate the first stages of highway duplication between Toowoomba and Oakey said Mr Antonio.

"Toowoomba is a major service centre for the wealth of agriculture and mining activity underway to our west and the Warrego Highway is a vital link in the region's broader transport network," he added.

This will allow for increased access to the Charlton Wellcamp enterprise area, which will help to stimulate growth in the area.

Not only that, but the upgrade between Nugent Pinch Road and Kingsthorpe in the Warrego Highway will help to make the road safer for heavy transport, he said, making construction highly important in the area.