REVEALED: New traffic lights for Rockhampton

See what black spots have recently been funded in the Capricornia electorate.

The intersection of Upper Dawson Road and Caroline Street at Allenstown will receive a $676,000 upgrade to install traffic lights and turning lanes as part of a road funding injection across the region.

Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry announced the projects, totalling $1.4 million, on June 11, as part of the Federal Government’s Black Spot Program.

This funding is part of a greater $20 million spend across the country.

“None of these projects would be delivered without the community’s vital input and I encourage all residents and motorists in the region to nominate projects for future funding rounds,” Ms Landry said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said Queensland would receive $20.8 million for fixing black spots in the 2021–22 funding round.

“The Black Spot Program funds safety measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at locations where a number of serious crashes are known to have occurred,” Mr McCormack said.

“That is why the Australian Government has committed $1.1 billion to the Black Spot Program from 2013-14 to 2023-24 to improve road safety across Australia.”

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said the 67 Black Spot projects across the state would make an important contribution towards reducing serious injuries and deaths and built on previous investments in the state.

“This new funding will see total investment through the Black Spot Program in Queensland rise to $189.2 million, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to improving road safety,” he said.

Ms Landry said Upper Dawson Road was used as an alternative for the Bruce Highway.

“You’ve got young children crossing the road,” she said.

“They’re not always concentrate on what they’re doing. So, I urge people, particularly along school areas, to take care.”

Rockhampton mayor Tony Williams said the road was also used as a feeder into the city.

“During flooding, this Upper Dawson Road becomes the Bruce Highway,” Mr Williams said.

“By having the traffic lights there will negate the need to have police on this corner.”

The Rockhampton intersections that have been funded have been identified by the council as dangerous and based on statistics, have the most incidents.

“Black spot funding is gauged on the number of crashes in an area, and this area has had those crashes and identified as a black spot,” Mr Williams said.

He said projects like these could potentially improve driver behaviour throughout the region.

Divisional councillor Drew Wickerson said residents had been complaining about the issues with this intersection.

“They have difficulty at peak hour getting in and out of their properties,” Cr Wickerson said.

“There’s a number of schools, daycare centres and school population up the road further.

“Everything we can do to remind drivers the responsibility and safety on the road starts with the driver.”

Another two Rockhampton intersections that are set for an upgrade is Waterloo and Robinson streets, and Waterloo and Stewart streets.

They will have roundabouts installed at the price of $190,500 combined.

This black spot funding will also be used to upgrade a number of roads in and around the Isaac Region including $9000 for sign replacements at Golden Mile Road, Queen Elizabeth Drive and Dysart Bypass Road, $82,000 for safety improvements including reflectors and line marking at Clermont Rubyvale Road and Peakville Road, $109,500 for Saraji Road at Winchester, and $290,000 for Kenlogan Road, Russell Park Road and Mount McLaren Road at Kilcummin.

Originally published as REVEALED: New traffic lights for Rockhampton