Eastbound commuters on the Warrego Highway may soon have a less stressful journey thanks to plans for Variable Speed Limit Signs at the crossing of the Bremer River at Karalee.
An e-petition with 1349 signatures, led by Karalee resident Michael Campbell, was sent to the Queensland Legislative Assembly in February.
Mr Campbell proposed the removal of the 70 km/h speed restriction, imposed after faults with the westbound bridge forced the introduction of regular diversions for over size, over mass (OSOM) vehicles and consequent disruptions to eastbound traffic.
“The current speed restriction of 70 km/h then 80 km/h has no safety bearing on the integrity of the Bremer Bridge itself,” Mr Campbell said.
In his request, Mr Campbell called for changes:
“1. Instruct TMR to reinstate the former 100 km/h speed limit along the Warrego Highway, heading east from the Mount Crosby to Warrego Highway onramp over the Bremer Bridge and past the Dimore offramp exit.
“2. TMR to only reduce the speed limits at the times windfarm components need to travel that section of the highway.”
In a response, TMR Minister Brent Mickleberg said that to maintain a westbound travel route for oversize, overmass vehicles that were no longer able to utilise the westbound bridge, traffic signals and median crossovers were required.
“The introduction of these movements at an already complex and constrained section of the network represents an elevated risk environment, particularly given the interaction between standard traffic, signalised control, and large, slow-moving OSOM vehicles,” he said.
“To mitigate these risks, the speed limit on the eastbound carriageway was reduced to 70 km/h.
“In consideration of this, I have instructed my department to install VSLS’ at the Warrego Highway’s crossing of the Bremer River at Karalee.
“The VSLS on the eastbound bridge will enable the safe nighttime movement of OSOM vehicles, while minimising disruption to daily highway users.
The Minister said installation of VSLS wwould allow higher speed limits to apply under normal conditions, while enabling reduced speed limits for nighttime OSOM movements.
Quietly installed in April 2024, the reduced speed limits were met with hostility, anger and confusion from commuters, residents and Politicians alike.
Secretary and Treasurer of the Karalee and Surrounding Communities Association, Lyn Burnie said the problem wasn’t just congestion, but accidents caused by people slamming on their brakes.
“The highway speed returning to normal is the most important thing,” Ms Burnie said.
