Degilbo safety upgrades don't include road widening

Transport and Main Roads have started safety works on the Gooroolba Biggenden Road.

UPGRADE NEEDED: School bus operator Graham Henningsen is a daily user of the Biggenden-Gooroolba Road. Picture: Erica Murree

DRIVING the Gooroolba Biggenden Road every day, bus driver Graham Henningsen is responsible for getting up to 20 children home safely and he says it is no easy task.

"There's a lot of winds and bends and the edges of the bitumen fall away to pieces,” Mr Henningsen said.

"You've got to keep your wits about you and you can't drop the ball.”

Although he wishes more would be done to make the single-lane bitumen road safer, Mr Henningsen said he was happy the works being done by the Department of Transport and Main Roads would give more warning to motorists about the condition of the road.

"Anything that can be done to make that road safer will be a help,” Mr Henningsen said.

"Ultimately, I would like to see a double-lane bitumen road here, but I've been driving the bus for 32 years and I don't think it's ever going to happen.”

A petition to have the road fixed received 100 signatures in 10 days, in 2017.

TMR confirmed widening of the road was not included in the current works.

This week, Roadtek began installing a guard rail, including a motorcycle protection rail on the approaches to Deep Creek Bridge to reduce the risk of vehicles running off the road.

"Warning signs are also being installed at various locations to alert motorists about upcoming conditions,” a Transport and Main Roads representative said.

"To carry out these works safely and efficiently, traffic controllers, closures and speed restrictions will be in place as required, with every effort made to minimise disruptions during peak times.

"Motorists should factor in additional travel time for their journey.”

RoadTek will work from 6am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

The project is expected to be completed by Easter, weather permitting.

The signs include:　

• high visibility warning signs indicating 'winding road' and 'reduce speed' 500 metres before Deep Creek Bridge,
• chevron markers on some curves to help guide motorists,
• curve warning and advisory speed signs before some curves,
• crest signs to alert motorists to limited visibility, and
• road narrow signs to warn motorists of narrowing lanes.