Works to improve safety on notorious intersection
Date published: 14 October 2019
Townsville City Council is upgrading a major Townsville intersection known for a high number of accidents, thanks to more than $900,000 worth of Black Spot Program funding.
Council works to upgrade the intersection at Geaney Lane and Deeragun Road at Deeragun started on 3 October.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the $906,500 worth of funding was being put towards works set to improve the intersection’s safety.
“This funding from the Black Spot Program will go to upgrades at Geaney Lane that will ensure both residents and visitors are safe when travelling in the area,” Cr Hill said.
“I’d like to thank the Australian Government for providing the funding for this essential project.”
Infrastructure Committee Chair Cr Mark Molachino said the works at this intersection were crucial to reducing the accidents on the stretch of road.
“Council is committed to working with the Australian Government to fix up roads that have had a number of crashes,” Cr Molachino said.
“Workers will install a single-lane roundabout on the intersection and realign the pedestrian and cycle path over the next nine weeks to transform the way vehicles travel through the intersection.”
New Townsville-based Senator, Susan McDonald, said road crashes were a major cost to Australians every year.
“The Morrison Government’s Black Spot programs fund measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at dangerous locations to reduce the risk of crashes,” she said.
“Black Spot projects have been found to reduce serious crashes at upgraded locations by an average of 30 per cent.
“Programs such as this are very effective, saving the community many times the cost of the relatively minor road improvements that are implemented.”
The works at the intersection of Geaney Lane and Deeragun Road will run for about nine weeks, weather permitting.
Councillor Margie Ryder said the public’s patience was appreciated.
“These works will benefit everybody travelling through this intersection,” Cr Ryder said.
“We’re asking that everyone follows the directions of traffic management officers and signs during the upgrades, as it’s a complex work site.
“Patience from the public will help as the crews work to finish this upgrade.”
Works may involve excavations in the road and footpath, asphalting, fencing installed for pedestrians and vehicles, detours, minor traffic delays and noise.
Normal work hours are 6am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and 6am to 2pm on Saturday.
