Thirty-two concrete girders, each 25m long and weighing more than 27 tonnes, have been installed for a new overpass west of Toowoomba.

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester said duplication of the Warrego Highway between Toowoomba and Oakey was ramping up, with the major engineering milestone recently achieved between Charlton and Kingsthorpe.

The girders have been installed for the new overpass at the intersection of Kingsthorpe-Haden Rd and Gowrie Mountain School Rd.

Federal Member for Groom John McVeigh said the girders needed specialised heavy transport to move, and large cranes to lift and place them on the bridge sub-structure.

“The installation of 32 concrete girders formed an important component for the construction of the new overpass. Stage 1 of the project was completed in July 2016 and the Stage 2 upgrade between Charlton and Kingsthorpe will vastly improve safety through better separation of opposing lanes of traffic, upgrading several intersections and providing new turning lanes,” Dr McVeigh said.

The Australian Government has committed $128 million towards the $160 million Toowoomba to Oakey Duplication Stage 2 (Charlton to Kingsthorpe) project, with the Queensland Government contributing $32 million.

For further information about scheduled delivery dates, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects.