Bruce Highway: Transport and Main Roads plans work between Ingham and Townsville

Almost $367m is being spent to make the stretch of highway between Townsville and Ingham safer with more works slated for the future.

ALMOST $367m is being spent to make the stretch of highway between Townsville and Ingham safer with more works slated for the future.

After a horrific crash that resulted in the death of Ray Adams on Saturday, Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto pleaded with drivers to stop taking risks.

Now, Transport and Main Roads has reaffirmed its commitment to making North Queensland roads safer.

“Our thoughts are with the loved ones of those involved in the weekend’s crash on the Bruce Highway at Clement, which has sadly resulted in one fatality,” a spokesman said.

“Every death or serious injury is one too many, and we are committed to reducing the state’s road toll. We are demonstrating this commitment through continued record investment in roads and transport projects throughout regional Queensland to improve the safety, capacity and resilience of our roads.”

The crash scene on the Bruce Highway at Clement.

The spokesman said part of this year’s Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program, which includes $27.5bn in works, included significant commitments toward targeted road safety programs.

In recent years, TMR has completed more than $150m in projects on the Bruce Highway between Townsville and Ingham, a significant investment underway now with the Townsville Ring Road Stage 5 projects, the Townsville Northern Access Intersection Upgrade and the Hechts Rd to Easter Creek safety upgrade at Bambaroo.

The spokesman said works were also planned for Helen’s Hill to Pappin Road and Leichhardt Creek to Lilypond Creek.

“As the Bruce Highway forms part of the national network, we will work with the federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications on joint funding of any future road improvements,” the spokesman said.

“We will continue to monitor safety and conditions on the Bruce Highway.

“We also await the outcomes of the Queensland Police Service investigation into the fatal crash at Clement, which will inform a departmental review of the incident.

“Everyone has a role to play in road safety and motorists are reminded to stick to the speed limits, abide by the road rules and drive to conditions.

“The fatal five continue to be the leading cause of deaths on our roads. All motorists need to be aware of the fatal five and take them seriously: drink and drug driving, fatigue, inattention, not using a seat belt and speeding.”

‘Near misses’: Plea for dangerous behaviour to stop

GREY nomads and impatient drivers are putting the community at risk according to Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto and he’s begging people to stop making dangerous decisions.

Mr Dametto, who drives the stretch between Townsville and Ingham three to four times a week said he would see one or two “near misses” a trip.

On Saturday, a serious crash closed the highway near Rollingstone with one man later dying in hospital.

In June, there was a triple fatal at Mutranee where two people were killed after Ayden McLennan allegedly crashed into the line of parked cars.

Traffic was backed up because of a crash that killed another man. Mum, Holly Stewart, and bar manager, Daniel Mitchell, died at the scene.

Mr Dametto, who was on one of his regular trips to Ingham, was one of the first people at the crash.

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto

While Transport and Main Roads are working on the Northern Intersection Access Upgrade at Black River, and recently completed additional overtaking lanes at Bluewater, there are no further works planned further north to Ingham.

The Hinchinbrook MP said he would “never stop” advocating for the Bruce Highway in his region to be upgraded.

But with roadworks taking time, and significant funding, Mr Dametto pleaded with people to “stop taking risks”.

He said the two biggest problems were grey nomads, who chose to drive under the speed limit, and frustrated other drivers.

“Those same vehicles that weave in and out end up bunched together at the Jensen lights as they are coming into Townsville,” Mr Dametto said.

“No one is gaining anything. More needs to be done to ensure people that are on the highway are adhering to the 100km speed limit.

“I appreciate (grey nomads) are trying to save fuel … but it’s triggering some of this risky behaviour.”

Mr Dametto said he had “completely changed” the way he drives after he witnessed the fatality.

Holly Stewart and her two children, Theo and Myah.

“I not only ensure my own actions are safe on the road, but I’m hyper aware of the person coming towards me and behind me,” he said.

“It’s unfortunate that people are willing to endanger their own lives and others engaging in risky behaviour on the highway.”

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the cause of every crash was different, but the fatal five – drink and drug driving, driving fatigued, speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, and driving distracted – were major contributors to deaths and severe injuries on the roads.

“Of course, governments play their part through upgrading roads and addressing unsafe intersections and sections of highways with a known crash history,” Mr Bailey said.

“By law, every dollar collected through camera fines is invested back into road safety initiatives. The Bruce Highway between Townsville and Ingham has had plenty of funding invested in it in recent years.

“That includes installing wide centre lines to separate oncoming traffic, building overtaking lanes and upgrading intersections.”

Mr Bailey said some projects have been significant, like the new bridge over Cattle Creek, or the upgrades occurring now at Black River.

“We’ve also committed funding in our budget to deliver more upgrades on the highway north of Townsville,” he said.

“I’ve written to the Deputy Prime Minister calling on the Federal Government to match that commitment, so that communities living between Townsville and Cairns can be certain that more upgrades are on the way to improve safety and congestion.”

Originally published as Bruce Highway: Transport and Main Roads plans work between Ingham and Townsville