One of Bundaberg’s busiest stretches of road will undergo a $3.5 million upgrade in coming weeks in a bid to improve safety and minimise ongoing maintenance.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads is undertaking rehabilitation works on Bundaberg-Bargara Road, from west of Eastgate Street to Hillrose Court, Bundaberg East.
The section of road has deteriorated in recent years and required ongoing work, causing disruptions to motorists and the community.
These works also include the laying of new asphalt along Princess Street and Bargara Road as well as the widening of road shoulders and the upgrade to five intersections with new turning lanes.
The upgrade will strengthen the road to minimise pavement failures and future maintenance costs and improve safety for all motorists.
The project is part of the State Government’s $50 billion infrastructure guarantee for Queensland and, according to Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith, would be welcome news for residents throughout the region.
“I know how important these upgrades are to our community because I am out there listening to them every day,” he said.
“That is why I am so excited that we are getting on with the job of delivering for Bundaberg.”
Mr Smith said as part of the project, the government was able to collaborate with Bundaberg Regional Council to fund and add a new pedestrian crossing east of Olsen Street as well as additional sealing works.
“Being able to value add to this upgrade with Mayor Dempsey is another example of the two different levels of government, the Palaszczuk Government and Council, working together for the city,” he said.
“Projects like this add to our government’s $42.5 million Isis Highway upgrade, $6.3 million Bundaberg Gin Gin Road package and eight new projects announced in January as part of a jointly funded road safety package.”
Mayor Jack Dempsey welcomed the announcement.
“Anything that works towards making our local roads safer is fantastic for the region,” he said.
“This is a great example of the state government and local government working together to improve outcomes for people.”
Three stages to Bundaberg-Bargara Rd works
The Department of Transport and Main Roads will complete the project across three stages with detours and closures progressively installed to manage traffic flows.
Roadworks are expected to begin on 22 February and motorists are advised to drive to the changed conditions, obey all signs and traffic controller directions and factor in extra travel time for their journey.
Works are expected to be completed by April, weather permitting.
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It will need more than surfacing in two more years, it will need three lanes each way, with all the houses being built in Bargara, all them people going into town in the morning earlier and earlier. I have seen it worsen over the last two years and only get worse and worse, but this is known as progress. Progressing forwards to the same traffic levels as Brisbane.
Stephen, Your comments, “Oh so true'”
I am retired so every day is a Sunday. I have lived at Bargara for 11 years but just last week I had an 8.30 doctors appointment in the shopping centre next to the Keg.
I got to the “red light” roundabout at the junction of Back Windermere Rd and Rifle Range Road at 8.00am and made it into East Side Medical by the skin of my teeth at 8.28am.
The reason the new school lights at FE Walker Street hamper access onto FE Walker Street. Windermere Road was grid locked as far back as the right turn down past the the Kalki Water Depot.
I took it any way but was then grid locked on Bargara Road and a gentle driver let me in only to see that Bargara Road was blocked to through traffic at the keg.
I wonder if one Roads Dept ever talk to each other and phase in road works progressively?