Speed limit on Maryborough-Hervey Bay road reduced

Transport and government authorities have responded to public feedback on one of the region’s most important and busy roads, dropping the speed limit and instigating other changes to save lives.

The speed limit on Maryborough Hervey Bay Rd near a new Mobil service station and where a triple fatal crash happened earlier this year has been reduced.

The speed limit on a Maryborough road where a new service station recently opened has been reduced as “additional safety and upgrade options” are considered.

The new Mobil service station was built at the Island Plantation Road turn-off on Saltwater Creek Road (Maryborough Hervey Bay Rd) across the road from St Helens State School, opening its doors earlier in 2023.

There have been a number of crashes along that stretch of road, including the stretch where three women were killed in a crash which allegedly involved a 13-year-old boy behind the wheel of a stolen car in April.

The speed limit has now been reduced from 80km/h to 60km/h in response to community feedback and safety concerns, according to a statement from the state government.

The stretch of road where a fatal crash that claimed the lives of three women happened in Maryborough in April 2023.

The speed limit will be changed along Maryborough Hervey Bay Road, from Sydney Street to north of St Helens State School, with the change to be enacted in October when signage has been installed.

In addition to reducing the speed limit, Transport and Main Roads will undertake traffic monitoring investigations, planning for more significant road upgrades, and upgrade several intersections on Maryborough Hervey Bay Road between Carter Lane (North) and Urraween Road.

“In response to feedback, the speed limit along Maryborough Hervey Bay Road from Sydney Street to north of St Helen‘s State School, will be reduced from 80km/h to 60km/h,” Maryborough ALP MP Bruce Saunders said.

“As a result, the speed limit outside St Helens State School will be reduced to 60km/h at all times and TMR will replace the flashing school zone signs with School Ahead signs.

The road where a new Mobil service station just opened in Maryborough is having its speed limit reduced.

“I urge all motorists to look out for the new speed signs and be aware of the changed 60km/h speed limit on Maryborough Hervey Bay Road (locally known as Saltwater Creek Road) at St Helens.

“In addition to this immediate reduction to the speed limit, which will improve safety for the Maryborough community and road users, TMR is also undertaking investigations and planning into additional safety upgrades and treatment options.

“This has included the installation of a traffic monitoring camera on Maryborough Hervey Bay Road at St Helens State School.

“The camera will allow TMR to gain a better understanding of the issues being reported and investigate potential solutions.”

Tributes left at the scene of the triple fatal crash in Maryborough.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said TMR would undertake planning work for significant road upgrades along the section of Maryborough Hervey Bay Road from Pallas Street to Saltwater Creek.

“This planning work will look at both current and future requirements for the road,” he said.

“This planning work will position TMR to identify the future requirements for the road and enable any proposed upgrades to be considered for funding, together with other competing priorities across the state.

“TMR has also recently completed design work for a number of intersections on Maryborough – Hervey Bay Road between Carter Lane (North) and Uraween Road.

“Funding for construction of these upgrades will now be considered as part of a future review of the department’s forward program against other competing priorities.”

Originally published as Speed limit on Maryborough-Hervey Bay road reduced