Bundaberg Regional Council has welcomed a $6.318 million investment by the State Government to improve safety on the Bundaberg-Gin Gin Road.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey today announced spending of $112 million across Queensland to reduce trauma on roads identified as high risk.
Divisional councillor Wayne Honor said he had been advocating for this outcome over the past five years.
“Ambulance officers first approached me several years ago and it's something I've been working towards since then,” he said.
“It will make for faster travel between Gin Gin and Bundaberg for emergency services, and it will make the road safer for local residents.
“It's been a long, drawn-out process but we finally got there.”
Mayor Jack Dempsey has previously written to the Department, supporting a request from the Gin Gin Chamber of Commerce for upgrades to prevent accidents and fatalities.
Mr Bailey said the Department had identified 26 sections of the state-controlled road network, each about 20km long, that were known locations for crashes.
“While these sections of road represent only 1.4 percent of Queensland’s state-controlled road network, they account for about 10 percent of the state’s fatal and serious injury crashes,” he said.
“That's why we are targeting spending on safety improvements using revenue collected from speed and red-light camera offences.”
The proposed works, scheduled to begin this year, involve: Removal of roadside hazards, installation of safety barriers, audio-tactile line marking and right-turning lanes.
“There are many sections of the Gin Gin Road that need to be improved over the coming years,” Mayor Dempsey said.
“Council thanks the State Government for this contribution towards partly addressing the problem.
“I thank community members for assisting Council in pushing for these much-needed works.”
Is there a proper passing lane being installed at the Damascus turn-off? So the residents of Damascus no longer have to take their lives in their hands while trying to cross the highway while making a left-hand turn into Damascus Road.
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