‘Dangerous’ upgrade battle

Black River residents want highway fix

BLACK River residents won’t hold back in their fight to stop the “dangerous” Townsville Northern Access Upgrade, saying the state government must come to the table.

At a community meeting on Tuesday night, enraged residents hatched a plan to take on the state government over the upgrades.

They believe another design is needed, and if the state government is not willing to listen, the road should stay as it is. It was suggested an overpass, reducing the speed limit or traffic lights were safer options.

The Black River section of the highway is a black spot and the community believes new Transport and Main Roads upgrade designs will make the road more dangerous.

Michael Hunt, who lives on Church Road, will have to make five turns before he is on his way to Townsville once the new upgrade is complete.

While Mr Hunt believes there should be a rethink of the designs, which will force drivers to perform what the community believe are dangerous manoeuvres to cross the highway, he said the “ideal scenario” would include duplicating the highway and slowing down the speed limit to 80km/h.

Mr Hunt said the speed limit on the highway had been dropped to 80km/h in some sections.

“It stops the traffic and gives the people coming out on to the road, especially with a dual lane, they can go through and they can turn, or there is enough room between the dual carriages for people to stop and wait for the lights to change,” Mr Hunt said.

Federal Herbert MP Phillip Thompson, who is helping the community alongside state Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto, said the community felt the design was dangerous.

“We have started a petition, … I have written to Minister (Mark) Bailey,” Mr Thompson said. “The people leaving in the morning, they want them to come home in the afternoon.”

While Transport and Main

Roads maintain it has done community consultation, Mr Thompson said it had not.

“(It is) a requirement through funding they get from the federal government,” he said. The federal government funded 80 per cent of the upgrade. Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the project was vital to improving safety and reducing congestion. He said the state government wanted the best possible outcome.

He is expected to be briefed on the upgrade this week.