MP SAYS URGENT ACTION NEEDED OVER ROAD ‘BLACK SPOT’

BURDEKIN MP Dale Last has called the Bruce Highway south of Townsville the most “dangerous section” from Cairns to Brisbane after a series of serious and fatal crashes. On Sunday, a 25-year-old Mackay man died on the Bruce Highway, near the AIMS turnoff, after the vehicle he was a passenger in collided with a ute. Three others were taken to hospital in a stable condition. Police described the scene as “carnage”.

Mr Last described the Bruce Highway from Vantassel St to Cape Cleveland Rd as the most dangerous from Cairns to Brisbane.

“Given the number of fatalities and serious traffic accidents along that section of highway over the 12 months there is no question this is now a black spot area and urgent intervention is required on the part of both state and federal government,” he said .

“My preference would be to see as a minimum dual lanes extended from Vantassel St out to the Killymoon Ck area and road widening in the area of the AIMS turn-off where the (latest) fatal occurred.” Townsville Police Inspector Damian Irvine said the stretch had been a problem spot. “I don’t know if it’s just a fatigue area or it’s just unlucky, but … it is a bad area at the moment and I know the Department of Transport and Main Roads in conjunction with police have been looking at what the contributing factors may be, and have been looking at the historical data as to where and when the accidents are.”