Michigan Drive / Tamborine Oxenford Road crash: Another accident at notorious hot spot
Work to upgrade a notorious crash hot spot has been delayed. Here’s when it will finally take place.
Transport
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Work on upgrades to a notorious Gold Coast intersection have been delayed until March despite promises it would commence last year.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) in September announced work to upgrade the junction of Tamborine Oxenford Rd and Michigan Drive in Oxenford would begin in late 2023 and be completed by the middle of this year.
The $2 million upgrade was to include the installation of traffic lights, road widening and a new turning lane into Georgina St.
After an accident at the intersection last Thursday, Theodore MP questioned why the work had yet to begin.
“We were promised that work would start late last year but nothing has happened. This is a dangerous intersection and we do regularly see accidents here,” he said.
“Works need to start ASAP to make this safe for all motorists using this area.”
In a statement to the Bulletin, a TMR spokesperson said the works would not now begin until March and would not be completed until the end of the year.
“The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) can advise that work on the Tamborine–Oxenford Road and Michigan Drive intersection upgrade is scheduled to commence in March 2024,” the spokesperson said.
“Key project works will include: installation of intersection traffic signals with pedestrian phases; dedicated turn lanes into Georgina Street from Tamborine–Oxenford Road; pavement surfacing of a 600 metre section; relocation of street lighting.
“Works are expected to be completed in late 2024, weather and site conditions permitting.”
EARLIER: ANOTHER COLLISION AT NOTORIOUS JUNCTION
A sedan and a ute have collided at a notorious Gold Coast junction where work was due to have begun last year on long-awaited upgrade.
Police and ambulance crews were called to the intersection of Tamborine Oxenford Rd and Michigan Drive in Oxenford just after 5.30pm on Thursday after the vehicles collided.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesperson said two people were assessed at the scene but declined further treatment.
Work to upgrade the junction to improve road safety was due to have commenced late last year.
In a statement in September, the Department of Transport and Main Roads said that with more people living in northern hinterland areas of the Gold Coast, traffic on Tamborine Oxenford Road had “greatly increased”, making the project a necessity.
The $2 million upgrade was to include the installation of traffic lights, road widening and a new turning lane into Georgina St.
“Safety is our top priority, and upgrading this intersection will substantially improve motorist, pedestrian and cyclist safety,” TMR Acting Regional Director Belinda Stewart said at the time.
TMR said tenders for construction of the upgrade were released to market in September, with work expected to begin in late 2023 and be completed by mid this year.
However Theodore MP Mark Boothman said work had yet to commence.
“We were promised that work would start late last year but nothing has happened. This is a dangerous intersection and we do regularly see accidents here,” he said.
“Works need to start ASAP to make this safe for all motorists using this area.”