New England Highway Cycleway, Highfields to Toowoomba CBD (Stages 1,2 & 3) – locally known as the Highfields Bikeway
The Highfields Bikeway project involves delivering a bikeway connecting Highfields to Toowoomba to provide a safer and more accessible active transport option.
The Highfields bikeway will be built in several stages. Construction of stage 1 of the bikeway was completed in December 2020 and installed a 3m wide, 2-lane path from Mitchell Road to Toowoomba Christian College and a connection from McShane Drive, Mt Kynoch, to Dwyer Street, Harlaxton.
Stage 2 is expected to be completed in August 2022 and will connect Toowoomba Christian College to Hi Winds Road. This stage of the bikeway is proposed to follow the New England Highway.
Planning for Stage 3 is underway with preliminary designs on-track for completion in December 2022. The third stage of the bikeway will connect the path from Hi Winds Road to John French VC Bridge.
Construction of stages 2 and 3 have not been programmed at this time.
The new bikeway is a priority location under the Queensland Cycling Strategy 2017-2027.
Benefits
- Improves safety
- Contributes to economy
- Contributes to regional growth
- Better active transport
- Improves ride quality
Key features
- The new bikeway allows residents of surrounding suburbs to have a safe and accessible active transport option.
- A new 3m wide, 2-lane bikeway.
- Priority crossings on side roads to protect vulnerable users of the bikeway.
Funding
Highfields Bikeway—Stage 1 was $12.2 million (Investment ID 11603, QTRIP 2020-21 to 2023-24)
Highfields Bikeway—Stage 2 planning and design is $880,000 (Investment ID 1566603)
Highfields Bikeway—Stage 3 planning is $470,000 (Investment ID 1977221)
- Total investment
- $13.55 million
- Queensland Government
- $13.55 million
Current status
Stage 1
Construction of Highfields Bikeway – Stage 1 was completed in December 2020 and provides an active transport route between Mitchell Road and Toowoomba Christian College.
Stage 2
Stage 2 will provide a connection between Toowoomba Christian College to Hi Winds Road. This design is scheduled to be completed in August 2022, however there is no funding for construction of this stage.
Stage 3
Design of Highfields Bikeway – Stage 3 is currently being planned and is on-track for completion in December 2022.
New England Highway Cycleway, Highfields to Toowoomba CBD (Stage 1, 2 & 3) location map
Location map shows:
- Stage 1 active transport route between Mitchell Road and Toowoomba Christian College.
- Stage 2 active transport route between Toowoomba Christian College to Hi Winds Road.
- Proposed stage 3 start and finish points.