10Road closure exceptions (including limited / restricted access)#

The following exceptions to the threshold may apply and are to be considered on a case-by-case basis with road user safety and protection of road infrastructure prime considerations:

discussions between Transport and Main Roads District / Regional personnel, road stewards including contractors such as road maintenance performance contract holders, RoadTek and/or local government authority may occur where a range of factors, though not exhaustive, are considered in determining whether a road closure will be enacted:
− make, composition and clearance of vehicles that would traverse the road – consideration should be made as to the vehicle stability the roads and bridges covered with water, according to their size, type and ground clearance, noting the deeper the water level or higher the flow velocity, the more dangerous the situation
− depth of water over the SCR
− flow velocity (how fast the water is flowing over the SCR)
− location of wet weather and flood-impacted SCR
− geometrics of the SCR or resulting water impacting the SCR
− exit point visibility of wet weather and flood-impacted SCR
− distance or horizontal curve resulting in obscurity of the SCR, and/or
− distance of floodway
where a Transport and Main Roads Region or District has jurisdiction incorporating a remote community, road closures on SCRs may be applied in a more practical manner where the SCR is impacted by shallow and slow-moving water (refer to Question on Notice 175 from Member of Mt Isa to Minister for Transport and Main Roads [2013] Queensland Legislative Assembly 54 (Queensland Parliament)

where any SCR closure is authorised under section 46(1) Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 (Qld), section 46(4)(b) Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 (Qld) provides an approval process (which can be organised electronically at Transport and Main Roads District / Regional offices or, in some cases, at the site of SCR closure) to allow Queensland road users to drive past the signage installed, including:
− single trip one-way approval – granted in limited circumstances for delivery of essential items, such as food, water, or medical supplies, to isolated areas
− local access approval (multiple trip) – granted in areas where SCRs are restricted for an extended period to Queensland road users who need to access their residence, property, business, or essential services, and
− Transport and Main Roads inspectors (single / multiple trips) – available in special circumstances where it is necessary for ensuring the safety of persons
a five-tonne load limit for vehicles, when safe to do so, may apply to the following roads during the wet season (typically November to April inclusive) in Transport and Main Roads' Far North District within North Queensland Region: this may negate the need to secure an approval under section 46(4)(b) Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 (Qld):
− Peninsula Developmental Road
− Burke Developmental Road.
Vehicles exceeding the SCR mass limit or dimension limit can apply for a permit for movement of essential supplies or other urgent travel. Operators need a permit, where they are required to hold one to move on SCRs initially based on mass and dimension requirements etc, to qualify to apply to drive past installed road closure signage. Where operators hold the required permit, or don't require a permit in accordance with guidelines or Heavy Vehicle National Law, they may apply directly to Transport and Main Roads to drive past installed road closure signage.