March 4, 2024
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington says further delays on the roadworks on the New England Highway between Cooyar and Coalbank are just not good enough.
Mrs Frecklington said she had been receiving complaints from local residents who were extremely frustrated by the ongoing delays which have been occurring since the roadworks began in May 2021.
“It has been nearly three years since the roadworks on the New England Highway began and while the community have been very patient over this time, these further delays are just not acceptable,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“At the beginning of the year the heavy machinery left the site and I have been advised by the Department of Transport and Main Roads that the works have been temporarily stopped and won’t restart until March, depending on weather.
“That’s a three month delay, which has left the unfinished section of the highway a narrow one-way stretch.
“Locals and regular users of the New England Highway are quite frankly sick and tired of how long this is taking.
“It’s just not good enough that the works have been suspended. The Minister for Main Roads just needs to prioritise regional roads and get this job finished.”
While they’re at it, DTMR might like to look at a stretch of the D’Aguilar Highway between Memerambi and Crawford which lost its line marking the last time it was resealed 6 to 12 months ago.
This section is unlit and dangerous to drive along at night – particularly when there’s oncoming traffic – because it’s difficult to judge where the edges of the road are. C’mon DTMR! This should have been remedied months ago.