February 15, 2019
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is now investigating the feasibility of installing a roundabout on the intersection of the Wide Bay and Bruce highways near Bell’s Bridge.
The investigation has come after public consultations suggested a roundabout would be significantly safer than TMR’s initial recommendation for a complex “seagull configuration” intersection.
More than 12,000 vehicles – including 2000 heavy vehicles – pass through the intersection every day.
During peak times, high traffic volumes can lead to long queues and lengthy delays.
Plans to improve the site were first announced in May 2017, with the Federal Government contributing $11.2 million towards the $14 million project and the State Government contributing the balance.
In October the same year, TMR released its initial upgrade plans and said it expected to complete the design in mid-2018, with construction to start late last year.
However, after public consultation it was decided a roundabout would provide significant safety benefits by slowing traffic and reducing the risk of side impact crashes.
This led TMR to scrap its initial plans and prepare preliminary designs for the roundabout instead.
Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is encouraging South Burnett residents to have their say on the new design proposal.
“This is a dangerous intersection and it’s important that we get the right design to make it safer and ensure traffic flows smoothly and efficiently through it,” Mr O’Brien said.
“This upgrade will benefit all drivers on the Wide Bay Highway, particularly people in townships like Murgon, Goomeri and Kilkivan and the South Burnett who get caught in lengthy delays at the intersection,” Mr O’Brien said.
“I encourage everyone to have a say on the proposed roundabout solution.”
To share your views, contact the department by telephoning 1300 728-390, by emailing DTMR’s office or visiting TMR’s website.
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Won’t this intersection become much less busy when the Bruce Hwy bypass of Gympie is finalised?
I’m not sure if a roundabout is the solution. It would have to be HUGE like the roundabouts on the Gateway. Even then you still have to give way to the right, and if there is a number of vehicles traveling at speed you would be no better off. Ask anyone who’s travelled the Gateway from Murarrie to Redcliffe in peak hour what they think of the roundabouts. Sure, there might not be as much traffic, but you could still sit there waiting for 10 minutes, for someone who doesn’t confidently know how to negotiate one.
Problem is that most people don’t use roundabouts properly.
A question. That is a main road and trucks, big trucks, are travelling at the top speed limit for that area. How long do they need to be able to brake properly before they crash into smaller vehicles trying to outrun them, thus causing more crashes with bad outcomes. Not a very logical solution.
Something is desperately needed here and I consider a well-designed roundabout with appropriate speed restrictions would help immensely. I use this road a bit and it is most times very frustrating and I have seen some weird manoeuvres which thankfully didn’t end badly. So I say BRING IT ON and as soon as possible.
The new roundabout on the southern side of Kingaroy works well. You can leave Rogers Drive without any stress at all and with complete safety and the same would happen at Bells Bridge. Waiting for the bypass to be constructed is just not on as the traffic will not diminish. Instance Nambour, once the traffic went right through the main street. It was crazy. Now it still is crazy and the Bruce is chockers, too.
A roundabout can be made to work and at this spot there is NOT any real easy alternative.
Why wait and ensure many drivers will be stressed leading to not so good decisions?
Will Bells Bridge be upgraded to become flood free ?