Beechmont Road safety improvements start

Motorcycle safety improvements worth $1.6 million have begun on Beechmont Road.

Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government was committed to building and maintaining safer roads, including projects to improve motorcycle safety.

“Works planned include shoulder-widening on the one-way section between Elimbah Court and Jardine Road, and installing guardrails and rubrail,” Mr Bailey said

“I’m pleased to announce we’ve fast tracked funding to to install rubrail on the existing guardrail at six locations on Beechmont Road to improve motorcyclists’ safety.

“Construction on the remaining upgrades will be undertaken in the 2017-18 financial year, following the completion of the detailed design mid next year.

“Rubrail is an additional barrier that is installed below the guardrail to improve motorcyclist’s safety by reducing the severity of a crash and preventing impacts with the guardrail and supporting posts.

“It’s often used in mountainous areas and winding roads like Beechmont Road.

“About 540 metres will be being installed in sections before Christmas on high-risk locations between the intersection of Nerang–Murwillumbah and Ingham streets.”

Mr Bailey said the project was funded under the Palaszczuk Government’s Safer Roads Sooner program, which delivers high-benefit, cost-effective, road upgrades to address known high-risk crash hot spots.

“This road has a history of crashes and tragically this has resulted in seven fatalities on Beechmont Road since 2005.” Mr Bailey said.

“That’s why this program is focused on improving trouble spots, to reduce the risk for road users.

“Over the last fortnight we’ve had a high number of Motorcycle deaths on Queensland roads, so I urge everyone to slow down and take extra care over the holidays.”

To register for email updates about Beechmont Road projects, email pdo.regions.goldcoast@tmr.qld.gov.au.

To register for free SMS updates, visit www.beechmontsms.com.au and enter your details.

ENDS

Media contact:          Amy Hunter- 0423 651 484