Ongoing traffic changes

From March 2026, there will be long-term traffic changes along Highfields Road, with staged works at the following locations:

  • Intersection of Highfields Road and Kratzke Road
  • Intersection of Highfields Road and O’Brien Road
  • Intersection of Highfields Road and Lauder Drive
  • Intersection of Highfields Road and Rogers Drive
  • Along O’Brien Road, between Highfields Road and the roundabout at the Highfields Library.

Generally, works at each of these locations will take about two to three months to complete. Each intersection will be completed to a trafficable standard before works commence and road closure is placed on another section.

Latest traffic change advice

Toowoomba Regional Council has been working with Ergon Energy to upgrade the electrical network along Highfields Road. These are part of early works for the upcoming Highfields Intersections Upgrade Project.

We are working with Ergon Energy for the removal of redundant above ground power poles. These works have been scheduled at night to reduce traffic impacts.

Location: Highfields Road – works located between Rogers Drive and the detour roundabout

Date: 23 February 2026, weather and construction conditions permitting.

Work hours: 7pm – 6am

Road closure impact: Highfields Road between Highgrove Road and the detour roundabout (see map below). Detours in place. Please follow signage.

What to expect:

  • Crews will make all efforts to complete higher impact works earlier in the night, however there may be noise disruptions.
  • Traffic controllers at detour locations to assist with local access.
  • There are no planned interruptions to electrical supply during these works.
  • Moving, short term worksites
  • Access for Aldi maintained until closing time.
  • Look ahead for additional night works

Night works to place new Telstra cables under the Aldi driveway (Lauder Drive) will be required in the coming weeks.

Speed limits and changed traffic conditions

We remind all road users to drive to the changed traffic conditions for the safety of residents, pedestrians, and other road users. Speed limits in work zones and on detour routes are legally enforceable.

For questions, please contact Stakeholder Engagement and Communications on 131 872 or yoursay@tr.qld.gov.au.

Highfields Intersections - Ergon Power pole removals

Council advises early works for the Highfields Intersections Upgrade Project via Telstra and other providers are nearing completion.

We thank the community for their understanding while these important activities are being carried out to maintain these vital services and plan for the future of Highfields ahead of our major works.

Ergon Power pole removals

Over the coming week, Ergon will have mobile worksites to remove redundant power poles.

These will require short term changes to traffic and minor detours. All efforts will be made for these changes to occur outside of peak school times to reduce impact to the community.

Highfields Road

Location: Highfields Road, between detour roundabout and Kratzke Road

Impact: Detour for traffic travelling west (towards Meringandan), via the detour sidetrack.

  • No impact to traffic travelling towards New England Highway.

Date: Friday 13 February 2026

O'Brien Road - Two sites

Site 1

Location: O'Brien Road, between roundabout and Highfields Road

Impact: Closure of O'Brien Road, detour on to sidetrack.

  • To assist in traffic flow - Left turn from Kratzke Road to Highfields Road, with U-turn at Lauder Drive for vehicles accessing O'Brien Road will be recommended.

Date: Tuesday 17 February 2026

Site 2

Location: O'Brien Road, between Highfields Road and Highfields Fire Station

Impact: Hold and release traffic, with detour for traffic to access to or from Highfields Road. Please follow signage. This is expected to be a short-term impact.

Date: Tuesday 17 February 2026


Look ahead for upcoming night works

Dates for these works are to be confirmed.

Power pole removals

Works have recently been completed to transfer electrical cables underground. Council is working with Ergon to schedule the removal of the redundant power poles along Highfields Road.

To reduce significant traffic impacts, these works will be carried out overnight.

These works will require vacuum trucks and may require the use of power tools (chain saws).

Aldi Driveway

Night works to place new Telstra cables under the Aldi driveway (Lauder Drive) will be required in the coming weeks.

Council advises works will continue with utility providers will continue to carry out service relocation works as part of the early works for the Highfields Intersections Upgrade Project.

Unexpected delays have occurred with the works required to drill to install new Telstra cables being undertaken. We thank the community for their patience during these unplanned extended road changes.

Traffic control will be removed for the Australia Day weekend, and works are required to continue week of 26 January 2026 with the following expected conditions.

Please feel free to pass this through your networks.

Highfields Road

Works on Highfields Road will continue between Rogers Drive and Lauder Drive, however there will not be obstructions for through traffic on Highfields Road, with these works on the verge. There will be impacts to pedestrians. Please follow signage.

The team is aware of the Mary Mackillop College book drop off and will maintain access to the school and minimise activities before 10am. However, we do ask for those attending the school to please allow some additional time for possible delays.

Kratzke Road

In the week of 2 February 2026, works to locate underground cables will require a change in traffic conditions on Kratzke Road near the Highfields Road intersection.

There will be a temporary road closure required for general traffic for one day.

The team has made provisions to allow for school buses to be given access through the worksite to reduce other school related impacts.

During this time access to Mary Mackillop School or the Kratzke Road driveway for United Service station will be maintained when travelling from Highgrove Road.

Traffic changes planned at Kratzke Road for the week of 2 February 2026

Other work activities

  • Work zone: Highfields Road, between O’Brien Road and Lauder Drive (front of Highfields Tavern).
  • Pedestrian route changes.

These works may cause short-term traffic impacts on Highfields Road or changes to pedestrian routes.


Watermain Works – O’Brien Road

Installation of the new watermain along O’Brien Road will continue in early 2026.

  • Works are expected to continue from 27 January and take about a week to complete.
  • Temporary closure of O’Brien Road and will have changes to the Highfields Tavern driveway during this time.
  • Detour will be via the sidetrack at the Highfields Community Church.


Speed limits and changed traffic conditions

We remind all road users to drive to the changed traffic conditions for the safety of residents, pedestrians, and other road users. Speed limits in work zones and on detour routes are legally enforceable.

Council advises works will continue with utility providers will continue to carry out service relocation works as part of the early works for the Highfields Intersections Upgrade Project.

These works may cause short-term traffic impacts on Highfields Road or changes to pedestrian routes.

These works are not expected to affect service delivery or connections, unless otherwise advised directly by the utility operators. Council appreciates your patience as these essential works progress.

Please feel free to pass this throughout your networks.

Watermain Works – O’Brien Road

Installation of the new watermain along O’Brien Road will continue in early 2026.

  • Works are expected from 19 January and take about a week to complete.
  • Temporary closure of O’Brien Road and will have changes to the Highfields Tavern driveway during this time.
  • Detour will be via the sidetrack at the Highfields Community Church.


Telstra Network Works (dates may change)

Due to network requirements, some stages will overlap.

What to Expect

  • Short-term traffic delays
  • Temporary changes to pedestrian access
  • Under bore/ vacuum truck for works under driveways.

Stage 1 – 12 to 23 January 2026

  • Work zone: Highfields Road, between Rogers Drive and Aldi driveway (front of Mary Mackillop Catholic College).
  • 1-day closure of Highfields Road near Rogers Drive on Thursday 15 January 2026.
    • Traffic for Merrit Street and Rogers Road will be diverted along O’Brien Road and Balmoral Street.
    • Traffic controllers will assist with residents’ access along Rogers Road, between Highfields Road and the roundabout.
    • Access from Rogers Drive to Highfields Road will be maintained.

Stage 2 – 26 January to 6 February 2026

  • Work zone: Highfields Road, between Kratzke Road and Aldi driveway (front of United Service Station, Aldi, and 61 Highfields Road).
  • Possible 1-day closure of Kratzke Road and Highfields Road intersection.
    • Date will be confirmed ASAP.

Stage 3 – 12 January to 21 February 2026

  • Location: Council owned land – along Highfields Road, from the corner of O’Brien Road and Andersson Court.
  • No traffic impact expected.
  • Vegetation impacts:
    • The team has assessed that privet and similar introduced species of shrubs and weeds will be removed to provide the required alignment for the Telstra cables.

Stage 4 – 9 January to 14 February 2026

  • Work zone: Highfields Road, between O’Brien Road and Lauder Drive (front of Highfields Tavern).
  • Pedestrian route changes.

Speed limits and changed traffic conditions

We remind all road users to drive to the changed traffic conditions for the safety of residents, pedestrians, and other road users. Speed limits in work zones and on detour routes are legally enforceable.

Council is continuing works to relocate the electrical network as part of the Highfields Intersection project.

Temporary traffic changes - 29 April 2025

Between Tuesday 29 April and 4 June 2025 preparation work will be carried out to install a new underground service pit on Highfields Road and Rogers Drive.

The following traffic conditions will be in place on Highfields Road from Tuesday 29 April and 27 May (weather permitting) to maintain connectivity:

  • Traffic on Highfields Road travelling towards New England Highway
    • Temporary detour using Rogers Drive, Polzin Road and O’Brien Road
  • Traffic on Highfields Road travelling towards Meringandan
    • No impact to traffic.

See detour map here.

The following traffic conditions will be in place on Rogers Drive between Tuesday 7 May and 4 June (weather permitting) to maintain connectivity:

  • Traffic on Rogers Drive travelling towards Highfields Road
    • Temporary detour using Rogers Drive, Polzin Road and O’Brien Road
  • Traffic on Rogers Drive travelling from Highfields Road
    • No impact to traffic.

See detour map here.

Ongoing works for 2025

These works are part of the construction of construction of 10 new underground service pits at multiple locations along Highfields Road, between Kratzke Road and Rogers Drive.

These works are expected to continue until June 2025 (weather conditions permitting), at which time we expect overhead powerline crews from Energy Queensland to start attending site.

As part of these works, there will be ongoing traffic changes, road closures and detours required, based on our work locations.

We remind residents and businesses to look out for our regular notifications over the coming months and plan ahead.

Speed limits and changed traffic conditions

We remind all road users to drive to the changed traffic conditions for the safety of residents, pedestrians, and other road users. Speed limits in work zones and on detour routes are legally enforceable.

You can view the full traffic alert, including maps at https://yoursay.tr.qld.gov.au/highfields-road-intersection-upgrades/highfields-intersections-construction.

For questions, please contact Corey Doran, Stakeholder Engagement and Communications on 131 872 or yoursay@tr.qld.gov.au