Highway safety a concern for users
INNOVATIVE road safety ideas should be high on the state government’s list say Cassowary Coast leaders as an overdue $13m highway project stalls again.
The notorious stretch of the Bruce Highway between El Arish and Tully recorded another incident on Monday following a serious crash between a motorcyclist and a vehicle near Broderick Rd, Birkalla. A man in his 40s was flown to Cairns hospital with pelvic and arm injuries.
Tully Chamber of Commerce secretary Jessica Anders said the condition of the Bruce Highway between Tully and Innisfail was “embarrassing”.
“We had some tourists come through and they had been arguing if the road really was the Bruce Highway, they couldn’t believe how bad our main road was.”
In comparison to the $13m Smith’s Gap project, Ms Anders said the highway could benefit from a number of smaller safety upgrades between Tully and Innisfail.
“I hear of so many crashes because we have so many intersections where you stop in the middle of a 100km/h zone before you can turn. It doesn’t even have to be full turning lanes – just those areas on the side to pass safely.”
She said limited overtaking lanes and slow traffic was also causing hazards and suggested a Canadian three-lane highway system.
“They use them in country areas with less population. Each lane gets the extra lane for 2-5km at a time.”
Division 1 councillor Barry Barnes said he understood the condition of the highway was frustrating for motorists but warned weather was often a factor in traffic incidents.
“It gets quite foggy around Feluga and I think flashing lights warning drivers of the conditions would be a good idea there. We’ve got that on our radar to take up with TMR.
“But at the moment we’re getting a lot of questions about the (Smith’s Gap project). They’ve moved their onsite office and it seems to have stalled again,” Cr Barnes said.
Hill MP Shane Knuth last month asked the Transport Minister Mark Bailey why works were taking so long and for a completion date.
While Mr Bailey did not provide a date, he said delays were caused by weather damage to the asphalt and availability of the asphalt contractor.
Assistant Regional Roads Minister Bruce Saunders said he had been made aware of issues during a trip to the Far North to inspect the ongoing major road projects.
“A lot of the locals know the regional roads better than everyone else because they travel it every day of their lives,” he said.
“I will take these issues back and talk to the minister and director-general about getting action on it.”