Published Friday, 31 October, 2008 at 09:15 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Curve widening and permanent SMS alerts for Kuranda Range Road
The Bligh Government will make further safety improvements to the Kuranda Range Road, with work about to start to widen curves and make the trial SMS alert system a permanent service for motorists.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt and Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall said the safety upgrade was vital to keep locals and tourists safe.
“The Queensland Government is serious about improving safety on the Kuranda Range Road,” Mr Pitt said.
“That is why we’ve invested $3 million in safety improvements and enhanced traffic conditions through the government’s Safer Roads Sooner program.
“Next month, work will start on a $1.1 million curve widening project to widen the road width near Avondale Creek and the hairpin bend.
“These curves were identified by Main Roads as a safety concern as truckies find the corners difficult to negotiate on the current road width.
“This widening work will enable heavy vehicles to easily pass each other on the corners when travelling in opposite directions.”
Mt Pitt said survey and design work was currently underway for widening several other curves along the range road.
“A formal pull-over area for trucks at the top of the range will also be designed so drivers can check their loads and brakes before beginning the descent,” he said.
Mr Wettenhall said the trial SMS message service introduced in January to alert motorists of range closures exceeding 30 minutes would become a permanent service for motorists.
"On 19 February, the system was successfully used for the first time to alert motorists of long delays due to a landslide,” Mr Wettenhall said.
“This alert allowed motorists to plan an alternative route or make other arrangements to avoid being stuck in their cars for hours.
“As the SMS alert was introduced at my suggestion, I’m very pleased that the Minister has decided to provide this service on a permanent basis."
He said more than 380 motorists had signed up to receive message alerts by mobile phone. Motorists wishing to sign up for this free SMS service can call Main Roads on 13 19 40.
Mr Wettenhall said other safety improvements had also recently been completed along the range road.
“A number of line-marking improvements have been completed, and pull-over bays have been improved for commercial bus operators at Rainforestation Nature Park and Butler Drive,” he said.
“Asphalt with improved skid resistance has also been applied to more than a third of the range road's surface to significantly improve tyre grip for motorists in time for the approaching wet season.
"By the end of next month, high-friction surfacing will also have been applied to two of the sharpest bends on the range road – the hairpin bend and the bend 1km from the bottom of the road.”
Mr Wettenhall said other safety measures installed as part of the safety program include a rain activated wet-weather warning system, a reduced 60 km/hr speed limit, and improved linemarking, guardrails and signage.
“Early signs show the ongoing safety program has successfully reduced crash rates by 63 per cent since it was introduced late last year,” he said.
“I am confident we will continue to see further benefits from this safety program as work continues.”
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; Barron River Electorate Office 4038 2800
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt and Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall said the safety upgrade was vital to keep locals and tourists safe.
“The Queensland Government is serious about improving safety on the Kuranda Range Road,” Mr Pitt said.
“That is why we’ve invested $3 million in safety improvements and enhanced traffic conditions through the government’s Safer Roads Sooner program.
“Next month, work will start on a $1.1 million curve widening project to widen the road width near Avondale Creek and the hairpin bend.
“These curves were identified by Main Roads as a safety concern as truckies find the corners difficult to negotiate on the current road width.
“This widening work will enable heavy vehicles to easily pass each other on the corners when travelling in opposite directions.”
Mt Pitt said survey and design work was currently underway for widening several other curves along the range road.
“A formal pull-over area for trucks at the top of the range will also be designed so drivers can check their loads and brakes before beginning the descent,” he said.
Mr Wettenhall said the trial SMS message service introduced in January to alert motorists of range closures exceeding 30 minutes would become a permanent service for motorists.
"On 19 February, the system was successfully used for the first time to alert motorists of long delays due to a landslide,” Mr Wettenhall said.
“This alert allowed motorists to plan an alternative route or make other arrangements to avoid being stuck in their cars for hours.
“As the SMS alert was introduced at my suggestion, I’m very pleased that the Minister has decided to provide this service on a permanent basis."
He said more than 380 motorists had signed up to receive message alerts by mobile phone. Motorists wishing to sign up for this free SMS service can call Main Roads on 13 19 40.
Mr Wettenhall said other safety improvements had also recently been completed along the range road.
“A number of line-marking improvements have been completed, and pull-over bays have been improved for commercial bus operators at Rainforestation Nature Park and Butler Drive,” he said.
“Asphalt with improved skid resistance has also been applied to more than a third of the range road's surface to significantly improve tyre grip for motorists in time for the approaching wet season.
"By the end of next month, high-friction surfacing will also have been applied to two of the sharpest bends on the range road – the hairpin bend and the bend 1km from the bottom of the road.”
Mr Wettenhall said other safety measures installed as part of the safety program include a rain activated wet-weather warning system, a reduced 60 km/hr speed limit, and improved linemarking, guardrails and signage.
“Early signs show the ongoing safety program has successfully reduced crash rates by 63 per cent since it was introduced late last year,” he said.
“I am confident we will continue to see further benefits from this safety program as work continues.”
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; Barron River Electorate Office 4038 2800