The funding now is going to be over the next 10 years,so in my way of thinking it will be like maintaining the Sydney harbour Bridge.Finish one end just restart it all over again year in year out.

In all this up grade the people who designed it all never took into account to allow for some extra heavy vehicle rest stops,so now the truckie union are up in arms saying it will not help their long distance drivers fatigue management one one otto .If any thing it will make it worse.

-- Edited by herbie on Thursday 25th of July 2013 11:11:00 PM

One thing Qld need to do re roads is change the standards for construction. From what I understand Qld is the only state that can build a road without a level verge between sealed surface and water table. As soon as you leave the sealed road the vehicle is on an angle beyond recovery.

 

Neil 

Yes, I meant to add on my first post that der! WE knew that!

I noticed that on my recent trip along the Warrego Hwy woolman. The new section being built was a HUGE drop. I assumed they'd bring the sides up to level.

Yes, Hako that was the section. That's interesting. Thanks.

I know the blacksoil country is terrible for road making. The section that immediately springs to mind is west of Mitchell. As far back as I remember, that section has been a mess. It just moves and breaks up all the time.

We were camped on the blacksoil by the creek at Jondaryan Woolshed a few years ago, and it rained.  The big cracks in the ground closed up and just turned to slime. Everyone had to be towed out by the tractor, even 4WDs.

 

Gday...

I too have experienced the "Major Highways" of QLD and have found them wanting. What with lack of maintenance, flood damage, constant traffic use, road-trains and big, heavily loaded trucks it will always be a problem for the 'authorities'.

But, in a bit of perspective, let's compare Victoria and QLD for a minute.

Victoria -

Melb to Mildura on Murray (longest distance north) = 542km

Melb to Mt Gambier (longest distance west) = 442km

Melb to Eden NSW (longest distance east) = 554km

Queensland -

Coolangatta to Cairns (north along coast) = 1810km

Brisbane to Cunnamulla (west) = 800km

Ayr to Camooweal (west) = 1120km

Normanton to QLD/NSW border (distance inland) = 1740

I guess, that's a damned lot of real estate to keep in some sort of good nick - given flood damage, constant traffic use, road-trains and big, heavily loaded trucks especially.

Interestingly, I travel primarily on the "back/minor" roads in my travels and very often in QLD these are much better than the 'major' highways. I guess they get less traffic and less trucks.

I also agree, Herbie, one should always drive to the conditions but that is difficult on the Bruce because often, to drive to the conditions, being prepared for the inevitable, means driving at a slow pace and that only attracts the inconsiderate wrath and abuse of all those other road users that wanna keep the boot in and hate to be slowed down.

It would appear the 'authorities' (given the pending election) are going to inject funds to "fix" the Bruce and it is long overdue. But look carefully at the golden goose - the plan is to spend the money over the next three years or so - by that time, what is good today will be run-down. The funding needs to be ongoing.

Stepping off me soapbox

Cheers - and stay inland and in the small rural regions  - John

herbie wrote:

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The funding now is going to be over the next 10 years,so in my way of thinking it will be like maintaining the Sydney harbour Bridge.Finish one end just restart it all over again year in year out.

In all this up grade the people who designed it all never took into account to allow for some extra heavy vehicle rest stops,so now the truckie union are up in arms saying it will not help their long distance drivers fatigue management one one otto .If any thing it will make it worse.

Totally agree Herbie.

Yes I like may have been complaining re the BRUCE  and the WARREGO just to name a fes. The WARREGO is one of the worst roads to travel on.

Yes ago, back in the 50's the western people, NEVER used the Warrego along the railway track, instead they travelled what we called The Condamine Highway. 3 miles of bitumen either side of Roma and Condamine. The rest was gravel road with the classic name  "The Crystal Highway" due to the number of windscreen broken on the Condamine.

Next thing you know they will be introducing a toll for the user pays to help fund the works.

Where does all our Rego money go. I would estimate that in new cars along last year that the revenue generated would have been in excess of ONE BILLION Dollars.

 

Go figure. I guess it is called P.P.M  =  P... Poor Manageent

Jay&Dee
-- Edited by herbie on Thursday 25th of July 2013 11:11:00 PM

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Good points Rocky Lizard. The distances are enormous, and between rain, poor subsoil is some areas, and the amount of heavy haulage, it must be a nightmare for the planners, particularly if they're not getting enough funding...assuming that is correct and not just passing the blame.

There's also been a huge migration of population from other states, NZ etc over the years, which means more housing is needed, ie: roads. The 'satellite' cities of SEQ are a perfect example. Springfield is a huge area within the Ipswich City Council, but they're only now widening the Centenary Highway to accommodate the traffic. Yarrabilba in Logan City, along Waterford-Tamborine Road, is currently under construction, but nothing has been started on the roads.

I'm sure this goes on in other states, and not just here in Qld.

This topic always makes me think on council rates - I don't pay much compared to my town-dwelling friends, but I don't get rubbish collection, footpaths, town water or sewer; in fact I'm lucky if the dirt road gets graded once every few years. But I choose to live out where I have a 1km road frontage and I don't want the rates to quadruple. I think it's a similar story with the roads out in the country. With the relatively small population in Au, we would all have to pay MUCH higher rego to fund all those kms of roads. Easy in countries like US where pop density is much greater. I prefer our space, and I'm sorry but I think if you want city quality roads and amenities, you'll have to stay in the city.