By ALENA HIGGINS
NINE nominated black spots in the region will be upgraded, thanks to Federal Government funding, Maranoa MP Bruce Scott announced on Tuesday.
Mr Scott said $663,400 would be directed to improving notorious sections of Southern Downs’ roads under the Coalition’s Black Spot program.
“Traffic crashes and injuries have occurred at these identified black spots, so this funding will be directly targeted to make these dangerous locations safer,“ he said
The projects were recommended by a panel of independent road safety experts and will be delivered during the course of the coming financial year (2015-16).
The modifications include shoulder widening, installing alignment markers and guideposts, pavement marking and the addition of signage.
Meanwhile, further improvements have recently been implemented at the infamous Eight Mile intersection south of Warwick, including sight barriers on either side of the crossing.
The deadly junction, where the New England and Cunningham Highway intersect, has claimed the lives of seven victims in as many years.
“The visibility barriers are part of a package of minor safety improvements being undertaken at the Eight Mile intersection,“ a Transport and Main Roads spokeswoman said.
“This follows feedback from the community, Southern Downs Regional Council and the Queensland Police Service.
“The aim of the barriers is to remove distraction from motorists wanting to turn right from the New England Highway towards Warwick on the Cunningham Highway.“
Changes to signage on all approaches with the addition of flashing lights have also been slated.
“These lights are automatically triggered by vehicles approaching the intersection,“ the spokeswoman said.
The safety improvement works are expected to be finished by early March, weather permitting.
The Federal Government’s Black Spot Programme will target the following nine projects in the Southern Downs Council region:
$183,000 to widen the shoulder and install chevron alignment markers at Nundubbermere Road, about 5km west of Stanthorpe-Texas Road, Nundubbermere.
$114,000 to upgrade delineation, install new chevron alignment markers and shoulder widening on two curves on Jingarry Mt Sturt Road from Warwick Yangan Road, Yangan.
$90,000 to install guide posts, pavement marking, chevron alignment markers and signage and remove trees at Stabiles Road, Glen Aplin.
$55,000 to install a raised and painted median and additional ‘Stop’ signs at the Railway/ Creek street intersection, Stanthorpe.
$44,600 to install ‘Stop’ signs and centre line markings, ban parking near the intersection and remove sight impediments at the Guy/ Pratten street intersection, Warwick.
$44,600 to improve intersection visibility, change ‘Give Way’ signs to ‘Stop’ signs and remove parking near the Grafton/ Wantley street intersection, Warwick.
$44,600 to improve visibility, change ‘Give Way’ to ‘Stop’ signs and remove parking near the Dragon/ Fitzroy street intersection, Warwick.
$44,600 to improve visibility, change ‘Give Way’ to ‘Stop’ signs and remove parking near the Pratten/ Tooth street intersection, Warwick.
$43,000 to install a raised painted median and additional ‘Stop’ and warning signs at the Grafton/ Canning street intersection, Warwick.
