New hope for crash hotspot
A HORROR stretch of road at Bentley Park has prompted Cairns Regional Council to reexamine safety measures if new signs don’t do the trick.
Bicentennial Rd has earned a reputation in the southern Cairns suburb after roadside residents said they lived in fear of vehicles crashing into their living rooms at ballistic speeds.
Leighton Love and Melissa Harbison spoke on record about their fears and Mr Love has banned his infant daughter from playing in the front yard after a ute took out his fence.
The council had installed new signs but Division 2 Councillor John Schilling said new measures would be considered.
“New warning signs and line marking have only recently been installed on Bicentennial Rd in response to concerns raised by residents,” Cr Schilling said.
“We need time to determine how effective these measures are,” he said.
“If drivers continue to have problems during wet weather we will look at alternative road treatments, such as improving skid resistance on the curve, in the next financial year.
“This type of treatment has been quite successful on Roberts Road.”
Without addressing the use of the area as a trucking route, Cr Schilling put the onus on motorists.
“Drivers using Bicentennial Rd regularly are well aware of the need to slow down,” he said.
“No matter where you are travelling, it’s crucial to drive to the conditions and reduce speed when necessary.”
Residents and neighbours have reacted with concern about the area after Mr Love and Ms Harbison spoke out.
“It has been a problem ever since the bridge was built linking Bicentennial to Ravizza Drive and now that traffic comes from Logomier Road, much worse with motorists coming off Logomier at speed,” one resident posted on social media.
Another wrote of their experience at the notorious corner over seven years.
“We lost count of how many times cars spun out on it,” the resident wrote.
“That house next to the bus stop lost its front fence numerous times to the point the owner had a sign out the front telling people to slow down.
“One lady almost ended up over the edge into the creek going towards Ravizza Dr too, was a scary moment for her.”
Another complained the council had only taken “minimal action”.
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