Tin Can Bay Road overtaking lane map narrows down location

A Transport Department map of the Tin Can Bay Road connecting Gympie to the Cooloola Coast has revealed the likely location of at least one new overtaking lane, possibly more.

A study is underway to determine the best location for one or more new overtaking lanes on Tin Can Bay Road.

Investigations are well underway to determine a suitable location for an additional overtaking lane/s on Tin Can Bay Road.

A statement on the Transport Department website described the road as the principal road link between Gympie and Tin Can Bay, and a key freight route, supporting local timber and agricultural industries, as well as catering to commuter traffic and tourists visiting Tin Can Bay, Rainbow Beach and surrounding national parks.

Rainbow Beach is also one of the main gateways to Fraser Island.

The statement said the overtaking lane or lanes would be identified with consideration to road safety and design standards and requirements.

A map indicates the lanes will fall within several kilometres either side of the Laminex Road turn-off, the site of many car crashes over the years.

Investigations are well underway to determine a suitable location for an additional overtaking lane/s on Tin Can Bay Road somewhere in the study area shown on this map.

This included achieving the minimum lengths for overtaking lanes as well as lane widths, sight visibility, geometry, and other requirements that allow motorist to safely travel at speed for overtaking. It also includes finding or creating areas with fewer conflict points where there is a higher risk of collision minimising environmental and property impacts key issues and priorities identified by the local community, it said.

“There is currently no funding for detailed design or construction, however planning work will assist the department to develop a business case for funding consideration,” the statement said.

“Tin Can Bay Road presents several challenges when installing an overtaking lane/s, as several locations between Gympie and Goomboorian contain winding and hilly terrain, frequent side road and property accesses, narrow road corridor sections and sensitive environmental areas.

“Other areas around the mid-way point are less constrained, but already have overtaking opportunities with broken centre lines.

“The department has also received feedback suggesting motorists may benefit from a dedicated overtaking lane/s at the mid-way point, as they are often unable to use the broken lines to overtake due to the volume of traffic travelling from the other direction.”

Planning for this project is fully funded by the Queensland Government under the Transport System Planning Program.

A DTMR spokesperson said on Wednesday they were seeking community feedback before finalising a decision on the proposed location. Once installed, the new overtaking lane/s will reduce congestion and improve safety.

A photo from the scene at the Tin Can Bay Road where two people were seriously injured at the Laminex turn-off in 2024. Credit to Daniel Nitschke.

The planning work includes development of traffic models, identification and analysis of physical constraints within and adjoining the road corridor (environmental features, public utilities, road corridor boundaries) and the implications, including cost, of meeting design and road safety standards for overtaking lanes.

“Before finalising investigations, TMR would like to hear from more motorists who regularly travel on Tin Can Bay Road, to help us understand how widespread this issue is, and if the community has any further feedback on proposed locations for the overtaking lane/s,” they said.

“Providing feedback is a quick and easy process and can be done online at yoursay-projects.tmr.qld.gov.au/tin-can-bay-overtaking-lanes or by emailing [e-mail] or by phoning 1300 728 390.