Fernvale’s main street to undergo serious upgrades, including permanent speed limit reduction

Major upgrades to this Somerset town are expected to start this month.

Improved pedestrian crossings in the heart of Fernvale will enhance safety along the town’s busy main street, but one other factor will also change during the developments.

The main will have its speed limit reduced to 50km/h once construction is completed.

More than 9000 vehicles travel the main street, which is part of the Brisbane Valley Highway, leading to popular dams Wivenhoe and Somerset.

There have been concerns pedestrians were forced to make a mad dash when crossing the road and there were no designated motorbike parking spaces.

But the $1.56 million project will create designated motorbike parking areas, pedestrian kerb build-outs and refuge islands at two locations, and relocating a pedestrian crossing.

During the construction, 12 car park spaces will be removed to realign the pedestrian crossing, but six new spaces will be built once it’s relocated.

Works also include dedicated right-turn lanes on main street at Banks Creek Road, the Fernvale Futures Centre Access and Simpsons Street intersections.

The road between Clive Street and Banks Creek Road will also be resurfaced to provide bike lanes, and town entry features will be created on both sides of town.

Assistant regional roads Minister Bruce Saunders said the safety improvements would reduce right-turn crashes and improve safety for pedestrians and bike riders.

He said the transport department assessed traffic volumes and crashes and undertook investigations to identify the proposed safety treatments.

“These changes will improve overall safety, and the dedicated right-turn lanes will also improve traffic flow by minimising delays caused by turning traffic blocking the through lane

“The speed limit through that part of town will be reduced 60km/h to 50km/h and pedestrian refuges and kerb build-outs will be built at two locations.

“New signs and road markings at the town entrances to encourage drivers to slow down will also be added.”