A safer Peak Downs Highway sooner

Red light and speed camera fines are being invested in a $1.75 million safety upgrade of the Peak Downs Highway, Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Paul Lucas, has announced.

“Concrete barriers will replace guard rails to reduce the risk of head on collisions at key sections along the EtonRange.

“Narrow sections of the floodway crossing at Bee Creek will be widened and overtaking lanes extended at Hazledean to create a 710 metre lane.

“The safety upgrade is being paid for in part by motorists who’ve been fined for red light or speed camera offences,” Mr Lucas said.

Peak Downs Highway is one of 77 high priority projects worth more than $46 million approved by the Safer Roads Sooner Ministerial Advisory Committee chaired by Parliamentary Secretary for Main Roads, Andrew McNamara.

“With Safer Roads Sooner the primary focus is projects with potential to reduce the state’s road toll.

“The committee has targeted projects which will make the biggest impact on road safety,” Mr McNamara said.

In all, a total of 261 projects have been made possible by the Beattie Government’s Safer Road Sooner program since beginning in 2005.

Professor Mary Sheehan from Queensland University of Technology's accident research group, CARRS-Q and the RACQ are among the committee’s panel of road safety experts and key project decision makers.

Mr Lucas said the Safer Roads Sooner strategy aims to reduce Queensland's road toll through smart investment in better road infrastructure.

“These targeted works are expected to ease the frustration of motorists unable to pass slow moving traffic because of short overtaking lanes.

“Concrete guard rails on Eton Range will reduce the risk of head on smashes involving heavy vehicles.

“This is only a small percentage of the money the Queensland Government is spending on the Peak Downs Highway but it will make a difference to the safety of motorists.

“In addition $45 million will be spent over the next five years on widening, adding overtaking lanes and laying new bitumen on this important mining route.

“Nearly 31 million has been poured in the Peak Downs Highway in the last four years alone.

“What the Safer Roads Sooner program does is clearly demonstrate the money we take in fines from motorists caught by speed and red light cameras is being invested in the road network to save lives and reduce serious life changing injuries.

“We’re putting the proceeds of traffic fines to work on building safer roads.

“More than half of the third round of Safer Roads Sooner program is being spent outside of south-east Queensland,” Mr Lucas said.

Media Contact:    Darren Roberts    0448  184566.