Elliot’s paving roads with gold

MEMBER for Richmond Justine Elliot has promised more than $52 million to fix clogged roads in the Tweed if Labor wins the federal election.

But some voters are sceptical the long-awaited upgrades to the Kennedy Drive and Kirkwood Rd interchanges will ever come to fruition.

Opposition spokesman on infrastructure, transport, cities and regional development Anthony Albanese joined Mrs Elliot on Friday to announce $52.2 million to push forward work on two of the Tweed’s most important infrastructure projects.

Mrs Elliot said the Kirkwood Rd interchange would reduce congestion by linking Fraser Drive to Kirkwood Rd East and Minjungbal Drive, including on and off ramps from the M1.

It would provide alternative routes for commuters accessing the M1 and ease traffic congestion along Dry Dock Rd and Kennedy Drive.

The current double roundabouts at the Kennedy Drive/ Pacific Motorway interchange would be replaced with twin traffic signals and the Ducat St intersection would also be upgraded.

The funding will go towards replacing the existing double roundabout at the Kennedy Drive/M1 Pacific Motorway interchange with twin traffic signals, including an upgrade to the Ducat St intersection. Mrs Elliot said the current double “dogbone” roundabouts slowed the flow of traffic, caused congestion and were unsafe.

Taking to Facebook to share the announcement, Mrs Elliot was met with some rather scathing commentary.

“What year will this all happen? Pot of gold promised for everyone. Beware a pollies’ promises before an election,” one person wrote.

“Seems like he can everything,” another said.

Mrs Elliot said there was “enormous potential for retail and commercial business” near the upgrades and that the area was “earmarked for significant housing growth”. fix