Cr Gavin Jones
April 20, 2016
Work to straighten a sharp corner on the Tingoora-Chelmsford Road near Tingoora has started again after an unexpected two-month delay.
Clearing, earthworks and drainage have already been completed, and the only remaining work is to install a gravel pavement, then seal it.
The section is currently closed to traffic and detours are in place.
Work on the project was delayed in early February when 11 rare plants were thought to have been discovered in the area, but this issue has now been resolved.
A contractor has also recently begun reconstructing another deformed section near Redhill Road.
The work involves installing drains, laying down a gravel overlay and then sealing the end result.
* * *
Reconstruction work on Tingoora State School’s car park is almost complete and sealing is expected this week, weather permitting.
Council work crews used the recent two week school holidays to do the bulk of the work in order to minimise disruption as much as possible, including weekend work.
This limited disruption of the school’s operation to last week, when classes recommenced.
* * *
Two sharp crests on Weens Road north-west of Kingaroy which force drivers to move onto the single lane road’s unsealed shoulders to avoid a head-on collision will be widened to two lanes.
Roads Portfolio chair Cr Gavin Jones said the crests, between Mount Wooroolin Road and Trouts Road, will be widened and sealed, with a suitable taper length on the approaches.
The SBRC will also be sealing a deformed section of road between the crests.
Council officers believe they can undertake the work under normal traffic conditions with only minimal disruption to motorists.
* * *
An extension to the Angel Avenue car park in Murgon opposite Murgon Primary School is progressing well, but is likely to take another few weeks to complete.
Council staff still have to complete kerb and channelling works, gravelling and sealing.
* * *
A work crew has begun building a roundabout on the corner of Fisher and Moore Streets in Kingaroy to improve safety for pedestrians and motorists.
However the intersection is so busy it’s had to be closed while the work is being carried out, and detours have been put in place through other local streets.
Local traffic to the western end of Moore Street is currently being accommodated.
The work is expected to take a few months to complete.
* * *
Kingaroy’s Glendon Street car park was coated with asphalt last weekend as part of an extensive upgrade.
Remaining works include the construction of small islands, line marking, playground construction and landscaping.
* * *
Storm water drainage in Coulson Street, Blackbutt is currently being installed at the southern end near the Radnor Hotel.
The work involves using a drag box for staff safety (the trenches are more than 1.5 metres deep) and creating access chambers and kerbside gully inlets.
When completed, the project is expected to put an end to long-standing flooding problems in the town’s CBD area and nearby streets.
* * *
Reconstruction and widening the Blackbutt Crows Nest Road between Haynes Kite Millar Road and the area past the Ogilvie Road corner has begun.
Cr Jones told Wednesday’s meeting the existing single lane surface is no longer adequate for the road’s traffic volume, which causes excessive shoulder wear and safety risks.
* * *
Council’s grader crews are currently operating in the area east of Maidenwell and the Booie area north-east of Kingaroy.
Grading works are also underway on the shoulder drop-offs on the Burnett Highway north of Memerambi-Barkers Creek Road, and also the unsealed section of the Memerambi Gordonbrook Road.
Staff will grade the Burrandowan Road prior to the Burrandowan Picnic Races in mid-May, as per usual practice.
* * *
The final stage of work on the Proston Boondooma Road is almost complete, and sealing is expected to be carried out in a few weeks.
After this, work will begin on the SBRC’s portion of the Clark and Swendson Road intersection upgrade near Swickers in Kingaroy.
* * *
A tender for $246,400 plus GST was awarded at Wednesday’s meeting to Professional Bridge Services Pty Ltd to rehabilitate four of the region’s timber bridges.
The bridges are located on Webbers Bridge Road between Marshlands and Wooroonden; Manar Road at Boondooma; Stumckes Road at Kinleymore; and Horse Gully on the Gayndah Hivesville Road.
It is hoped work will be completed this financial year.
Meanwhile, work on new concrete bridges at Campbells Road, Mondure Road and Weens Road is progressing.
However a temporary halt has been called to further work on the Weens Road Bridge until works on the other two bridges are at a similar level.
This is because completion of Weens Road will require works that will intersect the existing side track around the bridge.
Glad to see that the Kingaroy/Burrandowan Road will be graded before the annual Burrandowan Races on Saturday 14th May. Look forward to SBRC addressing the other road issues we have in Division 6.
I have been to Burrandowan for many years and the roads are always graded. Correct me if I am wrong, but I think Council is also a major sponsor of the Races. Isn’t it about time we just appreciated what people do for us!