No traffic lights for dangerous highway intersection

QUEENSLAND Main Roads Minster Mark Bailey last week ruled out any immediate plans for traffic lights at the Ruthven and Donogue Sts intersection.

Raine and Horne Toowoomba property sales consultant Paddy Ryan

QUEENSLAND Main Roads Minster Mark Bailey last week ruled out any immediate plans for traffic lights at the Ruthven and Donogue Sts intersection.

In a response to a petition sponsored by Toowoomba South MP David Janetzki, Mr Bailey said there were "higher priorities" for the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

"While TMR understands community concerns about this intersection, there are higher priority intersections elsewhere on the state-controlled road network in Toowoomba that require an upgrade due to accident history, traffic volumes and road efficiency needs," Mr Bailey said.

"As a result, there are no current plans to install traffic signals at the Ruthven and Donohue Streets intersection."

The petition calling for traffic lights received 92 signatures and was launched by Willow Glen Retirement Village resident Elizabeth Grace as residents believed the intersection provided a "hazardous situation for vehicle movements and pedestrians".

Mr Janetzki said he was not at all surprised by Mr Bailey's response.

He said there had been six crashes at that intersection reported to police in the last 12 months.

"A new set of traffic lights would provide pedestrians with a safe place to cross this busy section of Ruthven Street," he said.

Mr Bailey said the TMR undertook planning for future upgrades based on funding and identified priorities.

"The Department of Transport and Main Roads continually monitors the needs of the state-controlled road network through Toowoomba including the Warrego, New England and Gore Highways," he said.
 

Originally published as No traffic lights for dangerous highway intersection