‘So dangerous’: Pledge to upgrade triple fatal crash Bruce Highway intersection

A notorious intersection on the Bruce Hwy where a Maryborough man and two truck drivers were killed earlier this year will be upgraded if the LNP is elected.

An aerial view of the site of the triple fatal at the intersection of Walker St and the Bruce Highway in Maryborough.

A notorious intersection of the Bruce Highway where a horrific triple fatal happened earlier this year will be upgraded under an LNP government.

Opposition leader David Crisafulli has pledged to deliver a new roundabout to better control traffic as vehicles enter and pass through the busy stretch to improve safety at the well-known black spot.

Mr Crisafulli, who visited Maryborough on Wednesday, said the Walker Street and Bruce Highway intersection upgrade was a priority for the LNP following a “staggering” increase in deaths on Wide Bay roads in the last year, and a horrific triple fatal crash at the site just months ago.

The LNP issued a statement in regard to the upgrade on Wednesday, promising $20 million towards the project.

Truck drivers Daniel Stuart and Tim Hickey along with Maryborough’s Sidney Marstella died in the crash on the Walker Street intersection with the Bruce Highway at Maryborough on March 22.

The deaths sparked hundreds of comments calling for a major funding boost to fix the Bruce Highway, particularly north of Gympie, to stop the carnage.

At the time of the tragedy, a spokesperson for Transport and Main Roads, while expressing sympathy for the family’s loss, said: “The section of the road where the crash occurred is current and meets current safety standards”.

An updated statement was provided to the Chronicle on Thursday.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with the families and friends of those impacted by the fatal crash that occurred on the Bruce Highway outside of Maryborough in March this year,” it said.

“The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is still continuing with our fatal crash investigation and if any road contributing factors are identified, we will act to address them.

“Our staff fully understand the devastating impact of road crashes and fatalities on those left behind, and the broader community.

“Our focus is on prioritising the available funding to ensure it is directed to the areas of highest needs.

“Crash statistics, trends and risk are a key consideration when prioritising these funds.

“Prior to upgrading any intersection, TMR would typically undertake an engineering analysis to determine the best treatment options, considering site specific factors such as the road function, traffic volumes, road design standard and the benefits and costs of different solutions.”

At present there is no funding allocated in the current Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program 2024-25 to 2027-28 for an upgrade of the Bruce Highway and Walker Street intersection.

“The LNP will make this intersection safer for the Maryborough community,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“Just today the RACQ released a new report that found the Wide Bay section of the Bruce Highway is one of the most. complained about stretches of road in the state and it must be urgently fixed.

“And the Wide Bay-Burnett roads saw about 20 more people killed in 2023 than the year before, making it the deadliest stretch of road in the state.”

The LNP has committed to funding the state’s share of the $20m project and would start progressing planning works and detailed design in government should Queenslanders vote for change on October 26.

LNP candidate for Maryborough John Barounis said the LNP’s plan to upgrade the intersection to a roundabout would save lives in his community.

“Too many families in Wide Bay have had to be told their loved ones are never coming home from this intersection, it has been the scene of multiple serious crashes for many years,” he said.

“Right now, people in Maryborough are constantly telling me they avoid this intersection altogether because it is just so dangerous.”