‘Move it forward’: Calls to fast track upgrades at crash hotspot

State and Federal MPs go to and fro on who needs to make the first move to get the ball rolling on upgrading on the region’s busiest intersections sooner rather than later.

Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders and Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari are keen for works to begin on upgrades to one of Wide Bay’s busiest intersections. Picture: Isabella Magee.​

MPs are pushing for work to begin sooner on upgrades at a busy Eli Waters intersection that racks up an average daily traffic count of 17,131 vehicles and has both state and federal funding in the bag.

The project at the Maryborough-Hervey Bay and Pialba-Burrum Heads Road intersection will turn Pialba-Burrum Heads Road into four lanes, between Scrub Hill Road and Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road.

This week Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders and Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari called on the Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt to upgrade the busy intersection sooner rather than later.

But Mr Pitt says the money will be waiting once project milestones are met.

Picture: Isabella Magee

The upgrade has been allocated $44.1 million, 80 per cent funded by the Federal government and 20 per cent funded by the State government, with works expected to start in 2024.

With the state government having provided their funding, Mr Saunders said the federal government needs to chip in now for the 18-month project.

“I'd really like (Mr Pitt) to bring it forward earlier, because this is the fastest growing area in the Fraser Coast,” Mr Saunders said.

“The upgrade will have four lanes from Nikenbah ... all the way in to Hervey Bay ... It will have traffic lights, too ... This intersection is the busiest intersection in Wide Bay, it’s really crucial that we get this done.

The intersection (circled) is said to be the “busiest” in Wide Bay.

Yarrilee State School and Xavier Catholic College, both located near the intersection, are a main concern for both MPs, with a growing number of students using the road which was once built for the traffic of about a quarter seen today.

However Mr Pitt said claims that funding won’t be available until 2024 were incorrect.

“The Queensland Government is responsible for prioritising delivery of projects and determining its infrastructure works schedule,” Mr Pitt said.

“As Assistant Minister for Regional Roads Mr Saunders should be aware that Federal Government funding is paid on the completion of project milestones.

“As soon as the Queensland Government decides when it wants to start this project, the Australian Government will bring forward its funding.”

The give way sign will be replaced with traffic lights. Picture: Isabella Magee

Initial funding of $2 million from the state government, has been allocated to a detailed design and preliminary works for the project.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said these works should be completed by June 2022.

“We understand this is a priority intersection for the community and are very pleased to work with the Australian Government to address the safety and capacity needs of the Hervey Bay community,” Mr Bailey said.

“As part of the detailed design, we are identifying utilities including power, water, telecommunications and NBN services for relocation, and completing survey works.

“There are a number of utilities within the road corridor servicing the local community and we will need to identify where they can be moved to ensure these services are not interrupted.”