Community shapes road safety in Roma

Roma residents are in the driving seat for upcoming traffic and road safety improvements.

Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said Main Roads was developing designs to improve road safety in Roma following community calls to upgrade several intersections.

"Main Roads officers have been meeting with the Roma Town Council, local businesses and residents to discuss the benefits of the changes and seek feedback on the plans," Mr Pitt said.

“This extensive consultation has already resulted in some changes to the initial plans to help us meet community needs without compromising the much-needed road safety improvements.

"All feedback from businesses near the intersections is being seriously considered by Main Roads and, where possible, specific requests are being taken into consideration."

The Roma safety improvements will take place during the next two years to address the medium to long-term traffic needs for the town.

The projects are being funded with $1.3m funding from the state’s Safer Roads Sooner project and the Federal Government’s Blackspot program.

"We are already looking at possible options, such as a changeover period to help businesses with changed parking conditions, as well as allowing parking in auxiliary lanes in the short-term,” Mr Pitt said.

"I am pleased that most businesses have generally accepted the changes and are prepared to work through any issues with us.

"Once the options analysis and preliminary design is completed, Main Roads will display the designs at the end of October at Westland's Shopping Plaza for public comment.

"This feedback will be further factored into the final designs, which are now expected to be completed by the end of the year."

Proposed works include:

• construction of a roundabout at the intersection of McDowall, Feather and Queen streets, and the closure of Alfred Street to vehicles exiting the roundabout

• intersection improvements at Mayne and Quintin streets

• construction of a “left turn in, left turn out”–only arrangement on Bowen Street west at the Quintin and Bowen streets (KFC corner) intersection

• improved traffic sight lines and road markings at the intersections of Wyndham and Bowen streets and Charles and Bowen streets

• intersection upgrade at McDowall and Arthur streets

• installation of traffic lights, pedestrian facilities and traffic islands at the intersection of McDowall and Quintin streets.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819