{"id":329389,"date":"2023-03-01T20:21:09","date_gmt":"2023-03-01T10:21:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=329389"},"modified":"2023-03-02T21:54:34","modified_gmt":"2023-03-02T11:54:34","slug":"work-to-start-soon-on-roundabout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2023\/03\/01\/work-to-start-soon-on-roundabout\/","title":{"rendered":"Work To Start Soon On Roundabout"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Knight Street intersection … traffic heading eastwards on Knight Street has the right of way but confused drivers sometimes pause to allow vehicles through on Walter Road and Somerset Street; at other times drivers on Walter Road and Somerset Street ignore the Give Way signs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

March 1, 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

The State Government has promised that work to build a roundabout at the confusing Knight Street \/ Walter Road intersection in Kingaroy will begin this month.<\/p>\n

At the same time, Walter Road (the D’Aguilar Highway) will also be widened at the Harris Road, Evelyn Street and Prince Street intersections to improve traffic flow.<\/p>\n

The Knight Street intersection has repeatedly been cited by local residents as one of the most confusing in the area, with a mixture of Give Way and Stop Signs.<\/p>\n

It has also been the site of multiple minor accidents in recent years.<\/p>\n

The intersection\u00a0was flagged during the recent RACQ annual survey of “Unroadworthy Roads”:<\/p>\n

At Knight Street \u2013 A road intersection that nobody seems to understand and causes accidents and near misses all the time. Two give ways, a stop sign and a go through. It really needs lights or roundabout.<\/em><\/p>\n

And in an earlier RACQ report:<\/p>\n

D\u2019Aguilar Highway, from Kingaroy-Cooyar Road to Knight Street\/Kingaroy Street intersection – \u00a0The lack of overtaking shoulders is appalling. I travel the road daily and see near misses all of the time. If the Department of Transport and Main Roads (being the road owner) worked with the South Burnett Regional Council to improve overtaking opportunities then the traffic would flow better.<\/em><\/p>\n

Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said it was “about time” the State Government acknowledged the dangerous intersection.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThis announcement is long overdue, given the large number of complaints that have been made about this intersection over many years,” Mrs Frecklington said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have been advocating for improvements to this intersection for a long time and I know the community will be relieved to hear that something is finally going to be done to make this busy intersection safer.”<\/p>\n

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said widening the road would allow for better separation of through traffic and turning traffic, improving safety and traffic flow.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“The new roundabout at the D’Aguilar Highway intersection with Knight, Walter and Somerset streets has also been designed to better accommodate heavy vehicles. In the past, this intersection has been challenging for trucks to use, resulting in heavy vehicles detouring through residential areas via Kingaroy Street,” he said.<\/p>\n

“During the works, nearby residents, businesses, and road users can expect changed traffic conditions including speed restrictions, lane closures and temporary detours, as required.<\/p>\n

“Motorists should plan for minor traffic delays and are urged to drive to the changed conditions and obey all signage and traffic controller’s directions.<\/p>\n

“Works will get underway from March and will be progressively completed until October.<\/p>\n

“QLDTraffic<\/a> <\/strong>will be updated to provide current information on road conditions such as detours, or road closures and motorists are encouraged to check in regularly for updates. Road signage will also be in place throughout construction.<\/p>\n

In January, the South Burnett Regional Council announced that TMR would be conducting the road-widening activities and the construction of the new roundabout once the current water main works along Walter Road were completed.<\/p>\n