Warrego Highway—Toowoomba East Creek and West Creek: culvert upgrades

We are delivering the Toowoomba East Creek and West Creek culvert upgrade projects, designed to improve community safety, accessibility and flood resilience.

The existing East Creek and West Creek culverts currently provide James Street with a 1-in-5-year flood event immunity. To protect against inundation at nearby intersections during high-intensity and high-velocity rainfall, as in the 2011 floods, these culverts require significant upgrades.

These upgrades will provide better access, safety and greater flood immunity during rain events, providing access for the community to Toowoomba Hospital and other services. These upgraded culverts will integrate with the surrounding area and broader transport networks.

These works also support the infrastructure upgrades that Toowoomba Regional Council has undertaken in the Gowrie Creek catchment. When further tie-in works are completed upstream and downstream, a 1-in-100-year minimum flood immunity standard will be achieved.

Benefits

  • Improves safety
  • Improves network efficiency
  • Increases traffic flow
  • Improves flood immunity
  • Better road access
  • Better active transport
  • Contributes to economy
  • Contributes to regional growth

Key features

  • 1-in-50-year flood immunity.
  • Improves community safety and accessibility.
  • Provide access to the Toowoomba Hospital and other services.
  • Integrate with broader transport networks.

Funding

The project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on an 80:20 (federal:state) basis. 

The project will be delivered as part of the $635 million Warrego Highway Upgrade Program (WHUP) designed to improve road safety between Toowoomba and west of Miles funded 80% by the Australian Government and 20% by the Queensland Government.

Total investment
$21.1 million

Traffic info

East Creek and West Creek Construction Detour
From late May, James Street will be closed where it crosses East Creek and West Creek while the culverts are replaced. Road users are encouraged to use the Herries Street detour, or find an alternative local route. Heavy vehicles must use the Herries Street detour, or find an alternative heavy vehicle route. The suggested detour for standard light vehicles is:
Map of East and West Creek construction detour
Give way to heavy vehicles on detour
  • Road users are required to give way to heavy vehicles when turning on the detour.
  • Heavy vehicles using the detour route will be required to use all lanes when turning left or right.
  • B-doubles will be restricted to only use the detour route between 8pm and 5am daily.
  • Road users are asked to drive with caution and patience when sharing the road with heavy vehicles during this time.
  • Please note that westbound heavy vehicles will need to use Prescott Street. Please contact WHUP@tmr.qld.gov.au for heavy vehicle specific details. 
East Creek closure (Kitchener Street becomes a T-intersection)

Map of East Creek Closure

The eastern side of the Kitchener Street intersection is closed. Road users can still use the intersection to travel north or south on Kitchener Street, or west on James Street. People visiting The Visitor Information Centre can still access the carpark.

West Creek Closure (James Street closed between Prescott/Pechey Street to Water Street)

Map of West Creek closure

James Street is closed between Prescott Street and Water Street. Road users can still use Prescott, Pechey and Water Streets as required. Toowoomba Hospital remains accessible from Pechey Street. Andersens Flooring remains open during construction. PCYC customers can use the Water Street carpark or use the eastern access off James Street.

East Creek and West Creek Heavy Vehicle Detour

From mid May, James Street will be closed to all heavy vehicles, east of Prescott Street, while the culverts at East Creek and West Creek are replaced. Please see the heavy vehicle detour route below. 

Heavy vehicle restriction map

Heavy Vehicle Restrictions (vehicles larger than 4.5ton)
  • B-doubles can only travel through Toowoomba (using the detour) between 8pm and 5am every day.
  • Heavy vehicles must travel 40km/h (maximum) while on the detour route.
  • A height restriction of 4.3m applies on the detour. 
  • No over size, over mass (OSOM) loads are permitted at any time.
  • No compression braking is permitted at any time.
  • If your delivery requires an exemption to the curfew, please contact the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

Travel times for motorists using James Street will be impacted by these projects. Further details on closures and detours will be communicated to businesses and the community in advance of works commencing. Stay up to date by visiting our QldTraffic website.