Brisbane Rd, Graham St intersection a low priority with DTMR

Improving a busy intersection near one of Gympie’s biggest primary schools is not a high priority for the Transport Department, despite its growing bad reputation with motorists. Watch the video and judge for yourself:

The intersection of Brisbane Rd and Graham St was not high on the Transport Department radar for traffic lights or any other kind of upgrade, a TMR spokesperson revealed on Thursday.

Gympie Times Facebook followers were asked to nominate the intersection most in need of traffic lights and a great majority of the 37 suggestions nominated the T-intersection at the bottom of Graham St on to Brisbane Rd, which wraps around the One Mile Ovals and goes past the One Mile School before continuing over Pengelly’s Bridge and out to the Monkland.

Sarah Bartel said the intersection was a “nightmare at peak hour”.

“It’s a shocking intersection with a school zone not far from it, a turning lane and businesses,” she said.

The Graham St and Brisbane Rd intersection has been called “shocking” by local motorists. Photo: Elizabeth Neil

“It’s easier to u turn [sic] at one of the businesses than wait for a break.”

Some motorists claim they have been caught turning right at the intersection on to Brisbane Rd for 10 minutes, with steady flowing traffic causing issues along Brisbane Rd.

But the Queensland Transport and Main Roads Department did not agree with it being a problem intersection.

A TMR spokesperson said on Wednesday the intersection was not a high priority for safety upgrades while the $1billion Gympie Bypass project was ongoing.

“It is expected the Gympie Bypass project … will significantly reduce the traffic at this intersection,” they said.

“There is no current traffic data for this intersection, however, an intersection traffic count will be completed once the Gympie Bypass is open.”

The Bypass is expected to be completed by mid-2024, weather and construction conditions permitting.