One of Toowoomba's busiest roads is closed at two creek crossings until at least August for major flood mitigation works.
James Street is closed on both East Creek and West Creek — historically hotspots for flash flooding.
In January 2011, Donna Rice and her son Jordan died after the car they were travelling in stalled in rising floodwaters at the intersection of James and Kitchener streets in what was described at the time as a one-in-100-year flood event.
The works will increase the size and number of culverts at both crossings to be able to handle a 1 in 50 year flood event.
An extra culvert will also be added at the West Creek crossing to enable the bicycle lane to go under James St.
Until the works are completed, all traffic will be diverted along Herries Street.
However, Department of Transport and Main Roads Southern Queensland regional director, Kym Murphy, said B-double trucks could only use the detours between 8:00pm and 5:00am.
"Because, from a turning perspective, they will need to take up both lanes," she said.
"So, to minimise any safety impacts for other vehicles on the road, we're making sure they're using them when there is less traffic."
Businesses' preferences taken into consideration
Ms Murphy said crews were working 12-hour shifts, six days a week, to complete the $21 million works as quickly as possible.
She said the decision had been made to complete both sections of road simultaneously in order to keep disruptions to a minimum.
"We have been out there talking with the businesses, and seeing what their preferences are, and most of them were a lot more positive about having that shorter impact," Ms Murphy said.
"I'd like to suggest there won't be a lot of interruption, particularly for the lighter traffic, given that there is the opportunity to be able to use the side streets as well."
Once the detours were in place, she encouraged people to get out and familiarise themselves with where they needed to travel.
