D’Aguilar Highway set for safety upgrade

IT’S marked as one of Queensland’s worst black spots, but $16 million worth of work to make this road safer is finally set to begin.

Memorials along the D'aguilar Highway between Gamgee Road, D'aguilar

A seven-year campaign to secure essential improvements to one of southeast Queensland’s deadliest roads will finally start taking shape this week.

The first sod was turned last week on the $16 million federal government funded D’Aguilar Highway safety upgrade of several intersections from east of Wamuran to Bracalba.

The 2.1km stretch between the two intersections with Gamgee Rd, west of Wamuran, will be rehabilitated — a step up from resurfacing to restore the structural capacity of the pavement.

The improvement will feature a 1.2km passing lane, while the Gamgee Rd East intersection will feature lights and a turning lane.

Vegetation clearing will begin at Bye Rd and Wararba Creek, J Lindsay Rd and Morley Lane this week.

Federal LNP MP for Longman, Wyatt Roy, said despite the D’Aguilar Highway being a state government road he felt he had to act on the highway’s deterioration.

“This is a state government road but I was determined to take action,” he said. “This will ultimately save lives.”

State LNP MP for Glass House, Andrew Powell, said it was a relief to see work begin after seven years fighting for funding. Construction is expected to take 12 months, weather permitting.

“It’s seven years in the making,” Mr Powell said.

“I’m really calling on our locals and the tourists that are coming through to be patient. The end result is going to be so much worth the wait.”

He and Mr Roy said they would be campaigning the State Government to commit more funding to the road.