On road to better highway
AN upgrade to the Kennedy Highway between Atherton and Mareeba has started with Transport and Main Roads spending $37.5 million installing safety features along the busy Tablelands artery.
The work – which was expected to be completed by the middle of next year, weather permitting – was jointly funded by the Queensland and Federal governments under the Roads Infrastructure Stimulus Package, with staff “currently finalising the project’s scope”.
A Transport and Main Roads spokeswoman said the work would “deliver significant long-term improvements to traffic flow and safety with turning lanes to be installed at key intersections”.
“Works will also include installing wide centre line treatment, audible tactile line marking and safety barriers, as well as widening road shoulders,” the spokeswoman said.
“The works are expected to start late this year, they will be carried out in stages, (and) this investment is estimated to support an average of 121 direct jobs over project’s life.”
Meanwhile, TMR was “currently working with the Queensland Police Service to determine the circumstances” of a two-vehicle accident that happened near Tolga on August 31 and saw two children flown to hospitals in Townsville and Cairns.
Initial police investigations suggested a silver Tarago was travelling north when the driver failed to see a white Holden
Rodeo turning into a property beside the Kennedy Highway and colliding with the rear of that vehicle.
A police statement said “the drivers of both vehicles sustained injuries, and were transported to Mareeba and Atherton Hospitals for treatment, and three children in the Tarago were also transported to hospitals”.
The spokeswoman said TMR would “consider any recommendations from the investigation”.