Published Friday, 15 February, 2008 at 05:05 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Safety and growth key reasons for Roma intersection upgrades
Recent vehicle crashes had highlighted the need for safety improvements to Roma’s key intersections, Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said today.
Mr Pitt said Main Roads was nearing completion on design work for upgrades for the intersections, which would improve safety and traffic capacity through town, with construction due to start as soon as possible.
“Roma has now grown to a point where a dedicated traffic management plan is needed for the town’s roads,” Mr Pitt said.
"It's as simple as that – traffic and safety concerns will continue to grow on the Carnarvon and Warrego highways if we don’t act now.
“Ongoing crashes, as recently as last week, have highlighted the need for these upgrades to be rolled out without delay.
"Crash data shows at least 10 accidents have occurred at the intersections during the last five years, but local residents and business owners have told us about many more, as well as dozens of near misses.”
Data for the Quintin and Bowen and Quintin and McDowall streets intersections shows most crashes are a result of a 'failure to give way' or 'driving with undue care and attention' – issues that will be mitigated by the traffic lights and the planned upgrades.
“Main Roads has conducted extensive investigations and consultation, and now we’re getting on with the job,” he said.
Mr Pitt said feedback from the Roma community supported the need to improve safety in the town.
“While concerns have been raised about the loss of parking spaces, particularly near Quintin and McDowall streets, I think the Roma community understands safety should be the priority,” he said.
“Through the consultation process, Main Roads sought and took on board feedback from the council and the community, and made changes wherever safety was not compromised.
“The number of available parking spaces at this intersection has been maximised by shortening the proposed extra through lanes, which means there will still be some spaces for businesses and customers near the intersection.”
Traffic signals will be built at the Quintin and McDowall streets intersection to more safely manage vehicles crossing McDowall street and turning right. They will also cater for a projected increase in traffic.
“Most intersection upgrades that require traffic signals also need additional through lanes and protected right-turn lanes to improve their efficiency, safety and capacity,” Mr Pitt said.
“The signals will also make it easier for pedestrians to cross the highway, providing a better pedestrian connection between facilities in Roma West or the business area".
"I have asked Main Roads to proceed with these important upgrades without further delay," he said.
The projects are being funded with $1.3m funding from the state’s Safer Roads Sooner project and the Federal Government’s Blackspot program – initiatives targeted at reducing the road toll.
The planned projects involve:
• 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 intersection
• improved traffic sight lines and road markings at the intersections of Wyndham and Bowen streets and Charles and Bowen streets
• an intersection upgrade at McDowall and Arthur streets
• installation of traffic lights, pedestrian facilities and traffic islands at the intersection of McDowall and Quintin streets.
Plans can be viewed at the Main Roads offices at 30 McDowall St, Roma.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Mr Pitt said Main Roads was nearing completion on design work for upgrades for the intersections, which would improve safety and traffic capacity through town, with construction due to start as soon as possible.
“Roma has now grown to a point where a dedicated traffic management plan is needed for the town’s roads,” Mr Pitt said.
"It's as simple as that – traffic and safety concerns will continue to grow on the Carnarvon and Warrego highways if we don’t act now.
“Ongoing crashes, as recently as last week, have highlighted the need for these upgrades to be rolled out without delay.
"Crash data shows at least 10 accidents have occurred at the intersections during the last five years, but local residents and business owners have told us about many more, as well as dozens of near misses.”
Data for the Quintin and Bowen and Quintin and McDowall streets intersections shows most crashes are a result of a 'failure to give way' or 'driving with undue care and attention' – issues that will be mitigated by the traffic lights and the planned upgrades.
“Main Roads has conducted extensive investigations and consultation, and now we’re getting on with the job,” he said.
Mr Pitt said feedback from the Roma community supported the need to improve safety in the town.
“While concerns have been raised about the loss of parking spaces, particularly near Quintin and McDowall streets, I think the Roma community understands safety should be the priority,” he said.
“Through the consultation process, Main Roads sought and took on board feedback from the council and the community, and made changes wherever safety was not compromised.
“The number of available parking spaces at this intersection has been maximised by shortening the proposed extra through lanes, which means there will still be some spaces for businesses and customers near the intersection.”
Traffic signals will be built at the Quintin and McDowall streets intersection to more safely manage vehicles crossing McDowall street and turning right. They will also cater for a projected increase in traffic.
“Most intersection upgrades that require traffic signals also need additional through lanes and protected right-turn lanes to improve their efficiency, safety and capacity,” Mr Pitt said.
“The signals will also make it easier for pedestrians to cross the highway, providing a better pedestrian connection between facilities in Roma West or the business area".
"I have asked Main Roads to proceed with these important upgrades without further delay," he said.
The projects are being funded with $1.3m funding from the state’s Safer Roads Sooner project and the Federal Government’s Blackspot program – initiatives targeted at reducing the road toll.
The planned projects involve:
• 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 intersection
• improved traffic sight lines and road markings at the intersections of Wyndham and Bowen streets and Charles and Bowen streets
• an intersection upgrade at McDowall and Arthur streets
• installation of traffic lights, pedestrian facilities and traffic islands at the intersection of McDowall and Quintin streets.
Plans can be viewed at the Main Roads offices at 30 McDowall St, Roma.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819