Rockhampton Region receives $1million of Black Spot Funding
Published on 21 April 2016
More than one million dollars in funding has been sealed for the Rockhampton Region this week to allow Council to continue to enhance road safety.
Mayor of Rockhampton Region Margaret Strelow today announced that $1.02 million will go toward addressing dangerous roads in the Region, following a successful application in the Australian Government’s Black Spot Programme.
“Like all cities and areas, our Region has particular roads that have a more significant record of traffic incidents. This can be due to a combination of reasons but overall it’s a serious issue and one we as a Council are constantly working to address,” Mayor Strelow said.
“This funding is a very significant contribution from the Government and we are extremely appreciative of their support. It’s going to help us in achieving safer roads for our Region which is great news for each and every one of us using these roads day in and day out.”
The funding is part of a $33.6 million investment from the Government to reduce crashes on Australian roads.
Chair of Council’s Infrastructure Committee, Cr Tony Williams said four intersections were nominated for funding – with three in Rockhampton City and one in Gracemere.
“Many motorists would be aware of the difficulties surrounding the Denison intersections – William, Denham and Derby,” Cr Williams said.
“These intersections have had multiple vehicle collisions over the past five years. It can be a difficult area - the intersections have the rail line running through the centre with no boom gates or flashing lights to alert motorists of advancing locomotives, and at times vehicles parking along both sides of the streets can also significantly reduce sight distance for vehicles stopping on the minor legs of the intersection.”
Cr Williams said over $900,000 will now go toward increasing the safety of these areas.
Over $70,000 is also allocated to improving the Middle Road and Stewart Street intersection located in Gracemere.
Further details on upcoming works through the Black Spot Programme:
- Denison Street, Derby Street Rockhampton - $454,000
- Denison Street, Denham Street Rockhampton - $248,200
- Denison Street, William Street Rockhampton - $246,600
Proposed modifications include reducing the travel lane widths on all approaches to the intersection using raised concrete build outs; maintaining STOP sign control and moving the stop line forward to align with the kerb build outs.
With the inclusion of the concrete build outs the eastern side, Denison Street will have its on-street parking changed from parallel kerb parking to angle parking. This is to help reduce the speed of through vehicles travelling along Denison Street.
The proposed construction aims to increase sight distance for vehicles on all approaches but also for trains using the Denison Street rail corridor.
- Middle Road, Stewart Street Gracemere - $74,200
A Road Safety Audit conducted in the Gracemere Industrial Area identified the intersection as having sight distance issues due to a crest on the southern approach of Stewart Street.
This intersection was nominated for Blackspot TIDS funding to add in a rural basic right-turn treatment on Stewart Street.
Works will involve widening the pavement shoulder for the length of the intersection. The project also proposes to reinstate the give way sign on the minor leg and reinstate line marking for the intersection.