Published Friday, 20 June, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Improvements to highway safety north of Gympie
Main Roads will introduce a new 80km/h speed zone near Chatsworth State School and undertake intersection enhancements on the Bruce Highway north of Gympie to improve safety.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the new speed zone and the marking of dedicated right-turn lanes at three key intersections were the results of an investigation into safety on the highway in the Chatsworth area.
He said signage for the 80km/h zone was expected to be installed by the end of July, with the new turning lanes in place by the end of August.
"These safety improvements will be done by Main Roads in response to community concerns raised about this section of the highway and the investigation that followed,” Mr Pitt said.
"The investigation has taken into account all safety-related aspects of this stretch of road.
"While the investigation found that the existing speed limit of 100km/h near the school was neither inappropriate nor unsafe, it was decided that an 80km/h speed zone at school times would provide a better environment for vehicles entering and exiting the school.
"As you would expect, there are a number of school buses that use the intersection at Chatsworth State School on a daily basis."
Mr Pitt said the intersection enhancements would improve safety for drivers turning right from the highway into Vantage Street, Fraser Road and the Wide Bay Highway.
"This section of the Bruce Highway is a high-speed and highly trafficked environment," he said. "By undertaking line-marking to provide dedicated right-turn lanes, Main Roads will significantly reduce the likelihood of rear-end crashes at these three key intersections."
The new 80km/h speed zone will apply on school days from 8am to 9am and 2.30pm to 4pm.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the new speed zone and the marking of dedicated right-turn lanes at three key intersections were the results of an investigation into safety on the highway in the Chatsworth area.
He said signage for the 80km/h zone was expected to be installed by the end of July, with the new turning lanes in place by the end of August.
"These safety improvements will be done by Main Roads in response to community concerns raised about this section of the highway and the investigation that followed,” Mr Pitt said.
"The investigation has taken into account all safety-related aspects of this stretch of road.
"While the investigation found that the existing speed limit of 100km/h near the school was neither inappropriate nor unsafe, it was decided that an 80km/h speed zone at school times would provide a better environment for vehicles entering and exiting the school.
"As you would expect, there are a number of school buses that use the intersection at Chatsworth State School on a daily basis."
Mr Pitt said the intersection enhancements would improve safety for drivers turning right from the highway into Vantage Street, Fraser Road and the Wide Bay Highway.
"This section of the Bruce Highway is a high-speed and highly trafficked environment," he said. "By undertaking line-marking to provide dedicated right-turn lanes, Main Roads will significantly reduce the likelihood of rear-end crashes at these three key intersections."
The new 80km/h speed zone will apply on school days from 8am to 9am and 2.30pm to 4pm.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819