Work has started on a busy stretch of hinterland highway outside Australia Zoo between Landsborough and Beerwah.
About 5km of Steve Irwin Way will be widened between the two towns as part of the $24 million improvement.
Dedicated right-hand lanes will also be installed so northbound motorists can safely turn into Isambert Road, Graham Drive and the warehouse north of Irwin Road.
Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt said cars would be able to safely wait in the turning lane while through vehicles continued driving past, without holding up traffic.
“The new traffic signals at the Fraser Road intersection will also allow for safer turns, especially during peak hours when it can be difficult to judge safe gaps in traffic,” he said.
“We will install wide centre lines, which provide greater separation between vehicles travelling in opposite directions to reduce the likelihood of head-on crashes.
“The new two-metre-wide shoulders will give drivers more space to pull over and provide more safe space for the many bike riders who frequent the route.
“The project will also include minor road widening between Mellum Creek bridge and Railway Street Landsborough.”
Mr Hunt said work was expected to be completed late this year and is funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on an 80:20 basis.
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Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace said the upgrades were an example of the Australian Government working to reduce the number of people missing around the dinner table due to tragedies on our roads.
“I have ridden this section of Steve Irwin Way on my bike as part of my annual Tour de Fisher, listening to local residents, and like all too many others I know very well what a dangerous stretch of road this is.”
“We have seen too many lives changed forever, or even tragically cut short, on Steve Irwin Way. With the Australian Government’s support this wider road, with new dedicated turning lanes and traffic signals is going to help bring down the number of accidents and make Steve Irwin Way safer for all of us.”
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the project would create about 58 jobs as part of the COVID recovery.
“Not only will this major upgrade improve safety for drivers, but we’ll be creating a safer experience for bike riders through the area,” he said.
When to expect roadworks
A combination of day and night works will be required, but day works will be used when possible to reduce noise impacts on nearby properties.
The high traffic volumes on Steve Irwin Way mean some night works will be required, particularly when it is necessary to close lanes.
Day works will be undertaken from Monday to Friday between 6am and 5pm and night works from Sunday to Thursday between 7pm and 6am.
The contractor is mindful of the local community close to these works and will minimise impacts as much as possible.
Construction is expected to be completed in late 2022, weather and construction conditions permitting.
The project team can be contacted on 1800 316 378 or steve.irwin.way@tmr.qld.gov.au.
For information on the project, visit http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/glasshouse-mountains-road-steve-irwin-way-beerwah-to-landsborough-improve-safety.
