New response units to help keep Sunshine Coast traffic flowing
Published Thursday, 10 July, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Main Roads has launched a state-of-the-art traffic response service on the Sunshine Coast to help clear congestion-causing incidents.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt announced that two traffic response units (TRUs) would start operating today to provide more efficient management of road incidents on the Sunshine Coast.
"These units are an invaluable traffic management service and have already proven their worth in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast," Mr Pitt said.
"The new, highly visible TRUs will ensure incidents are cleared as quickly as possible and they will also provide minor breakdown services to motorists.
“Traffic accidents and incidents inevitably cause congestion, and when the traffic is already heavy they create severe and even extreme congestion.
“These TRUs will help remove the cause, and relieve the congestion. They are real congestion-busters.”
The four-wheel-drives will operate seven days a week during peak periods and will initially patrol the Sunshine Motorway, and the Bruce Highway from Deception Bay to Cooroy.
"Many incidents require an immediate response from trained staff and the TRUs are designed to be used as part of a co-ordinated approach with the Queensland Police Service and other emergency services," Mr Pitt said.
"Main Roads has trained three traffic response officers in readiness to attend a range of safety and congestion-related traffic incidents."
The TRUs will operate under the direction of the department's Traffic Management Centre. Officers will provide road condition reports to the centre, ensuring motorists are given advance warning of any incidents in the area.
"With the TRUs now deployed, we'll be able to provide an even better service to motorists on the Sunshine Coast."
Motorists wishing to report an incident or hear traffic reports in the Sunshine Coast area can call 13 19 40, or log on to www.131940.qld.gov.au for the latest traffic information.
Mr Pitt said work was also well advanced on the various stages of the $290 million Sunshine Motorway upgrade, which would further help traffic flows on the Sunshine Coast.
He said the redesign of the Maroochydore Road interchange was also on track, with the duplicated Sunshine Motorway bridges over Maroochydore Road completed last week.
"The new interchange will address safety issues at the existing roundabout, provide improved pedestrian access and handle future traffic growth in the region," Mr Pitt said.
"Traffic is already travelling on the new motorway southbound bridge while the crew progresses with further construction work at the interchange."
The new interchange incorporates:
• two bridges for the duplication of the motorway over Maroochydore Road
• four sets of co-ordinated traffic signals, phased to provide for pedestrian movements
• two lanes for traffic in each direction along Maroochydore Road
• two right-turn lanes from each entry point to the interchange
• links to the local cycle network and a new cycle path between Maroochydore Road and the Maroochy Bridge.
The Maroochydore Road interchange redesign is part of a $104 million project to upgrade the Sunshine Motorway between Maroochydore Road and David Low Way.
The entire project is on schedule for completion later this year.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt announced that two traffic response units (TRUs) would start operating today to provide more efficient management of road incidents on the Sunshine Coast.
"These units are an invaluable traffic management service and have already proven their worth in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast," Mr Pitt said.
"The new, highly visible TRUs will ensure incidents are cleared as quickly as possible and they will also provide minor breakdown services to motorists.
“Traffic accidents and incidents inevitably cause congestion, and when the traffic is already heavy they create severe and even extreme congestion.
“These TRUs will help remove the cause, and relieve the congestion. They are real congestion-busters.”
The four-wheel-drives will operate seven days a week during peak periods and will initially patrol the Sunshine Motorway, and the Bruce Highway from Deception Bay to Cooroy.
"Many incidents require an immediate response from trained staff and the TRUs are designed to be used as part of a co-ordinated approach with the Queensland Police Service and other emergency services," Mr Pitt said.
"Main Roads has trained three traffic response officers in readiness to attend a range of safety and congestion-related traffic incidents."
The TRUs will operate under the direction of the department's Traffic Management Centre. Officers will provide road condition reports to the centre, ensuring motorists are given advance warning of any incidents in the area.
"With the TRUs now deployed, we'll be able to provide an even better service to motorists on the Sunshine Coast."
Motorists wishing to report an incident or hear traffic reports in the Sunshine Coast area can call 13 19 40, or log on to www.131940.qld.gov.au for the latest traffic information.
Mr Pitt said work was also well advanced on the various stages of the $290 million Sunshine Motorway upgrade, which would further help traffic flows on the Sunshine Coast.
He said the redesign of the Maroochydore Road interchange was also on track, with the duplicated Sunshine Motorway bridges over Maroochydore Road completed last week.
"The new interchange will address safety issues at the existing roundabout, provide improved pedestrian access and handle future traffic growth in the region," Mr Pitt said.
"Traffic is already travelling on the new motorway southbound bridge while the crew progresses with further construction work at the interchange."
The new interchange incorporates:
• two bridges for the duplication of the motorway over Maroochydore Road
• four sets of co-ordinated traffic signals, phased to provide for pedestrian movements
• two lanes for traffic in each direction along Maroochydore Road
• two right-turn lanes from each entry point to the interchange
• links to the local cycle network and a new cycle path between Maroochydore Road and the Maroochy Bridge.
The Maroochydore Road interchange redesign is part of a $104 million project to upgrade the Sunshine Motorway between Maroochydore Road and David Low Way.
The entire project is on schedule for completion later this year.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819