A notorious intersection prone to congestion is to undergo $900k upgrade

WORK on a notoriously congested central Gold Coast intersection will soon begin — and with almost a million dollars earmarked for the fix.

The intersection at North Street and Scarborough Street that will undergo an upgrade by Traffic and Main Roads.

A NOTORIOUS Southport bottleneck intersection critical to moving traffic on to a major highway to the east and a motorway leading to the M1 to the west is earmarked for a $961,000 upgrade.

Traffic and Main Roads (TMR) will start work at the end of the month on safety, pedestrian and traffic upgrades to the Scarborough St-North St intersection, which leads to the Gold Coast Highway in one direction and to the Smith St Motorway in the other.

Member for Bonney Sam O’Connor has been pushing for work on the intersection, which in peak-hour traffic can leave drivers sitting at the lights for multiple rotations.

Member for Bonney Sam O'Connor has been lobbying to have this intersection fixed. Photo by Richard Gosling

“I think the queuing is definitely an issue. At peak hour there really isn’t any direction that runs smoothly,” Mr O’Connor said.

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“Turning right or left on to North St towards the Gold Coast Highway can take a really long time, which of course is extremely frustrating for people.

“With the upgrades we had just before the Commonwealth Games around High St, it’s obvious we have significant thoroughfare going into Southport so I think if we can keep upgrading these roads it’ll be a great thing for the CBD.”

A Southport intersection that will be upgraded in August 2018

COUNCIL’S $705 MILLION ROAD UPGRADES

Eastbound and westbound lanes of North St will be modified and upgraded over an estimated four months.

Measures used to improve flow will include removing up to eight on-street carparking spaces, relocating “Stop” lines, and tree removal to improve signal sight.

Traffic signals and road lighting will be upgraded.

Amended pedestrian accessibility will also be implemented, including a centre median strip to improve crossing and crossing ramp upgrades.

Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said works would improve safety.

‘‘We know this particular section of road has been identified as a major east to west corridor,’’ he said.

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“By upgrading the existing pedestrian amenities, this work will create safer road crossing for all users.

“The project is expected to be completed in December 2018 and we ask motorists to pay attention to changing traffic conditions and speed limits while works are underway.’’

Commuters could expect changed traffic conditions.

However TMR would also conduct night work to reduce disruption.