Major Karalee Roadworks to Cause Significant Traffic Delays as Mount Crosby Road Overpass Restoration Begins

Motorists travelling through Karalee are being urged to plan ahead, with major restoration works on the Mount Crosby Road overpass set to begin from Friday 16 January and continue through to April 2026.

According to a notice shared by Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) will commence intensive works on the overpass above the Warrego Highway, with significant traffic disruptions expected during the initial construction phase.

From 8pm Friday 16 January to 5am Monday 19 January, motorists can expect:

• A full closure of the Warrego Highway westbound, with traffic detoured via the Mount Crosby Road interchange exit and entry ramps
• A partial closure of the Warrego Highway eastbound, with one lane remaining open
• A full closure of the Mount Crosby Road overpass in both directions, with northbound and southbound traffic detoured via neighbouring Warrego Highway interchanges

While the Warrego Highway is scheduled to reopen to daytime traffic on the morning of Monday 19 January, the Mount Crosby Road overpass itself will remain closed until Saturday 24 January 2026 while critical bridge girder reinstatement works are completed.

Mayor Harding warned that delays of up to 30 minutes on the Warrego Highway and 35 minutes on Mount Crosby Road are expected during peak periods throughout the initial works.

Northbound Mount Crosby Road traffic will be detoured westbound along the Warrego Highway, returning via the Kholo Road interchange, while southbound traffic will be detoured eastbound to return via the River Road interchange. Motorists travelling north from Ipswich are encouraged to use Pine Mountain Road to access the Kholo Road interchange and avoid Mount Crosby Road where possible.

Following the intensive opening weekend, works will continue overnight only from 8pm to 5am, Sunday to Friday, through to April 2026. During this period:

• The overpass will remain fully closed day and night from Monday 19 January to Saturday 24 January
• Nightly westbound closures of the Warrego Highway will occur after 10pm
• Later stages (February–April 2026) will see the overpass reopen under alternating traffic flow, with traffic controllers in place and no detours required

Final works will include realignment of bridge approaches and reconstruction of footpaths, with the Warrego Highway operating normally during this stage.

For further information, residents can contact the TMR project team via metropolitanregion@tmr.qld.gov.au or on 3066 4338 during business hours. Up-to-date traffic conditions are available at 13 19 40 or via the Queensland traffic website.