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Trucks hit hard by Qld weather

Road access in Queensland restricted as bad weather and flooding continues to pound the state

March 5, 2010

Bad weather continues to play havoc on trucking operators in Queensland, with the Government shutting down sections of freight routes due to flooding.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads says freight movement in the northern Queensland region of Mt Isa via south west region is being diverted.

Department of Transport and Main Roads Director-General David Stewart says flood waters continue to affect a number of state-controlled roads in the region.

Those with vehicles of more than five tonnes have been barred from using the Warrego Highway from Mitchell to Morven, Mitchell to Roma and Miles to Roma.

The highway from Morven to Charleville has been closed to all vehicles due to water covering the road.

The Carnarvon Highway from Roma to Injune is open to all vehicles, but the Government has closed the section from Surat to Roma due to flooding and road damage.

“Heavy vehicle and freight operators will need to travel through the state’s central and Darling Downs region to access Mt Isa and surrounding regions,” Stewart says.

“Many highways particularly around the towns of Roma, Charleville and other south west communities are still cut with water across the road.”

He says engineers, police and local government experts are currently assessing the road network to determine when it will be safe to allow vehicles through.

“In the meantime only essential movements for vehicles greater than five tonne for south west provisions will be allowed (under permit),” Stewart says.

The department has urged all motorists to be cautious due to the weather and to obey all road closure signs.

It says the list of affected roads is an interim list and may change again shortly.

Trucking companies are being told to click here for more information on road closures throughout Queensland.

Alternatively, the department says companies can call 07 4622 9511 or email the Roma office during business hours.

Queensland has been hit all week by wild weather, which caused multiple crashes on the Pacific Highway by 7.30am Monday.

There were also accidents on the Gateway Motorway, while the Maranoa and Warrego regions were hit hard by rising floodwaters.

The Bureau of Meteorology expects the wet weather to hang around until at least Sunday, March 7.

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