Queensland, a state in Australia, has initiated construction works on the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing (TSRC) viaduct, an 800m-long road bridge that will extend from Lockyer Valley and cut through the Toowoomba Range at Mount Kynoch.

TSRC will serve as a key link between the Lockyer Valley and Toowoomba.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said: “The viaduct is a critical design feature of the TSRC project which will provide a safer, faster link in the National Land Transport Network.

"The TSRC will not only deliver long-term benefits to Queensland, but will also support an estimated 1,800 direct and indirect jobs in the Toowoomba region."

“The project involves the construction of a bypass route to the north of Toowoomba, approximately 41km in length, running from the Warrego Highway at Helidon in the east, to the Gore Highway at Athol in the west.”

Queensland Main Roads Minister Leeanne Enoch said that the viaduct was a key part of the AUD1.6bn ($1.2bn) TSRC project.

Enoch added: “The TSRC will not only deliver long-term benefits to Queensland, but will also support an estimated 1,800 direct and indirect jobs in the Toowoomba region.

“The viaduct will improve safety and productivity for heavy vehicles by eliminating the need to negotiate up to 18 sets of traffic lights in Toowoomba, saving them up to 40 minutes each way. It is an impressive piece of infrastructure that will support the growth of this part of Queensland well into the 21st century.”

The Australian government will provide AUD1.1bn ($84.4m) for the $1.6bn ($1.2bn) TSRC project, with the remainder being funded by the Queensland government.