Big trucks detoured for road repairs

Work to begin soon on the local roads.

A WAY forward has been mapped out for heavy vehicles using the Allora-Clifton Road while the road undergoes repairs.
At the first full general meeting of the new-look Southern Downs Council yesterday the councillors discussed a temporary detour route around the existing culverts, while the road is under repair during the next few months.
Councillors adopted four recommendations aimed at addressing concerns over the poor condition of culverts on Allora-Clifton Road, and potential impacts on transport companies and some farmers if load limits were applied to the existing culverts.
The condition of the culverts was identified following investigations brought about by a B-double application submitted last year, and subsequently rejected because of concerns over the culverts. Following a review of that decision, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator rejected the application, due to the inadequacy of the Allora Drive culverts.
Further inspections were instigated by the council through the Department of Transport and Main Roads and specialised structural engineers, Instrada, resulting in a recommendation that load limits be applied to the existing culverts on Allora-Clifton Road, sparking concerns about the flow-on impacts to transport companies and local farmers.
At its general meeting on 16 March, the council resolved to obtain further recommendations from Instrada about how to solve the issues with the culverts and load limits.
Southern Downs Regional Council’s engineering director Peter See said the council’s engineering department commissioned a report by Instrada seeking solutions to the problems with the existing culverts with the objective to remove load limits.
“Instrada’s report recommended that the existing culverts be repaired at a cost of about $45,000, and this action would extend the life of the culverts by up to 15 years, subject to regular inspection,” he said.
“The council will progress repairs to the existing culverts, but more immediately, will prepare an alternative route for heavy vehicles around the culverts on Allora-Clifton Road.
“This will come at a cost of about $15,000, and the combined cost of works will be funded from the existing roads maintenance budget.
“While these works are underway, a load limit will have to be applied to these culverts, and will be removed when the repair works are completed,” he said.
Mayor Tracy Dobie said the outcome was a good compromise to minimise the impacts on the heavy vehicle users of Allora-Clifton Road, but pointed out this was a separate matter to the B-double application and the issue of the Allora Drive and Allora Clifton Road intersection.