The Eight Mile intersection, where the Cunningham and New England Highways meet, is being uplifted to make it safer for Queensland locals.
The $25 million project will see an overpass for motorists travelling south on the New England Highway from Toowoomba to Warwick, while traffic on the Cunningham Highway will travel underneath the overpass.
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said through this plan, the government wants to see all Queenslanders get home safer and sooner.
“What’s better is we’re supporting about 50 local jobs during this time as we continue to build stronger, more resilient Queensland roads,” Minister Bailey said.
He said that it was dangerous having two high-speed highways intersecting, which is something that will be removed with the construction of the overpass.
“We know how important this upgrade is for regular users of this intersection, which is well used by locals, the freight industry and tourists alike,” Minister Bailey said.
A major milestone was recently achieved with Super-T girders recently installed for an overpass over the Cunningham Highway.
To minimise traffic disruptions, crews worked through the night for a week with a 500-tonne, wheel track crane to position 10 super-T girders forming the overpass deck.
Each girder weighs between 75 and 85 tonnes and measures over 1.8 metres high and 33 metres long.
Permanent height restrictions are now in place for traffic travelling on the Cunningham Highway through the intersection.
Eastbound traffic is restricted to 6.1m and westbound traffic is restricted to 7.1m.
The major upgrade is expected to be completed later this year (2022), weather and construction conditions permitting.
The project is jointly funded on an 80:20 basis with the Australian Government contributing $20 million and the Queensland Government contributing $5 million.
For more information, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/cunningham-highway-ipswich-warwick-eight-mile-intersection-upgrade.
For up-to-date information on roadworks and conditions across the state, visit www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au, call 13 19 40, or download the QldTraffic app.
