Design work to upgrade three roads in Dakabin should be in 2019/20 council budget

A growing suburb north of Brisbane is set for some much-needed investment in roads in this year’s council budget.

The intersection of Narangba and Torrens Road, Kurwongbah where triathlete Kellie Moule was hit by a car and almost killed, will get traffic lights installed.

THE growing Pine Rivers suburb of Dakabin is set for some much-needed investment in roads in this year’s council budget.

Though any actual on-the-ground work is still some way off.

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Division 7 Councillor Denise Sims will push for funding in the June 3 budget for a number of projects, including more than $1 million for designs to upgrade three Dakabin roads.

“Clearly we need a bigger investment in roads around Dakabin to improve efficiency as the population in this area continues to grow,” she said. This included $850,000 for plans to widen Old Gympie Rd between Alma and Goodwin roads to four lanes.

Cr Sims said traffic lights would be installed at the intersection with the waste facility and North Pine Christian College, and at the intersection with the RSPCA facility and Watson Conference Centre.

“There will be some U-turn opportunities and separate turning lanes at two upgraded four-way intersections: one outside North Pine Christian College on Hughes Rd East and the Waste Facility entrance; and another at Goodwin Rd,” she said.

She said there would also be on-road cycle lanes and ramps, improved footpaths and kerbs and landscaping.

The council is also expected to approve $100,000 to design the Alma Rd/Thompson Rd intersection upgrade, allowing larger vehicles like buses to access Dakabin train station; and $100,000 to design an upgrade at Thomson Rd from the southern end of Dakabin station to Ann St.

The detailed designs will start next month, ready for preliminary earthworks to get under way in the new financial year.

Cr Sims said she was hoping to get more than $7 million in total for road upgrades in Division 7.

This includes $1.6 million federal government funding already secured to upgrade the Narangba Rd and Torrens Rd intersection.

“We’re committed to making this intersection safer for all road users and increasing its capacity to deal with the forecast increases in traffic flow.

“This project will see the existing priority-controlled intersection upgraded to a three-leg signalised intersection and will include pedestrian crossing facilities, bicycle lanes and additional lanes to all approaches.

Meanwhile in Division 8, Cr Mick Gillam hopes to get more than $2 million for road improvements in the budget, including an upgrade to a 300m section of Bells Pocket Rd.

“The existing surface is showing significant signs of natural wear and tear, which is why council is prioritising rehabilitation works along this stretch of road,” Cr Mick Gillam (Div 8) said.

He has also pushed for $500,000 for detailed design and initial works to duplicate a 500m stretch of Youngs Crossing Rd from Oxford St north to Francis Rd.

Another 1.6km stretch of Youngs Crossing Rd (between Francis and Protheroe roads) should get $200,000 for initial planning, while the widening of Samsonvale Rd between Dundee St and Elmwood Drive should also be funded.