Underpass row flares

PLANS have emerged for a $6m underpass on a major road connecting the state’s north and south, but locals have questioned whether the money could be better spent.

The Department of State Growth has released plans for the Campbell Town pedestrian underpass – a project both major state parties had committed to as election promises to help people safely cross the busy highway.

The plans reveal the underpass will be built near where High St intersects with Bridge St close to the swimming pool and Campbell Town Hospital.

A Department of State Growth spokeswoman said the low-gradient ramp would accommodate electric scooters, wheelchairs and prams and would include 24-hour lightTHE ing. She said VEC Civil Engineering would begin construction in October and finish it next year.

The $6m project comprises of $4.8m from the federal government and $1.2m from the state government.

But Campbell Town Local District Forum chair Jill Clarke said the $6m could be used more effectively.

She said the ramp would only benefit schoolchildren for a couple of months each year – during school carnivals or swimming excursions.

She said medical centre patients could also use a van with wheelchair access to cross the road.

“We’re just staggered now to know the amount of work going into it.” she said.

“We are so against the blowout of the cost, it’s an exorbitant amount.

“We’re trying to get through, it’s not viable.”

Campbell Town resident Danny Saunders said the underpass was controversial.

“People who are opposed to it would like some (less expensive) alternative,” he said.

Mr Saunders suggested a crossing where traffic was required to slow to 40km/h.

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said the project has been driven by the community.

He said the cost had escalated to comply with disability access standards.

“We were told by local groups that it was only a matter of time before a child or elderly person would be injured or killed,” he said.

“The Campbell Town District School leadership and local community lobbied strongly for a grade-separated crossing and were supported by the Northern Midlands Council.

“Building an overpass is a terrible idea in terms of access for people with mobility challenges and while a basic underpass is also achievable, without proper ramps it would be useless for elderly people, prams and people with a disability.”

A Northern Midlands Council spokeswoman said the Campbell Town District Forum raised concerns about the cost of the project at their meeting in September.