Major bypass upgrade tipped to begin early next year

Bypass upgrade plan underway, "outdated” welcome sign removed

SAFETY FIRST: Southern Downs MP Lawrence Springborg had campaigned for funding to make Stanthorpe's Southern Bypass safer. Picture: Liana Turner

WORKS have been under way in recent months at the Southern Bypass on the New England Hwy at Stanthorpe.

But this hasn't been part of the $5.4million project, including a roundabout, to make the deadly site safer.

A Transport and Main Roads spokeswoman said design works for the upgrade were now being undertaken for the site.

She said recent minor works including a stop sign for northbound traffic exiting the highway and a hazard warning sign on the north end of the intersection were interim measures to make the site safer ahead of the major upgrade, which will include a roundabout.

"Construction is expected to start in early 2018,” she said.

Meanwhile, residents have questioned the sudden disappearance of a large sign welcoming southbound motorists to the Granite Belt on the New England Hwy at Dalveen.

"We have removed a number of outdated tourism signs along the corridor of the New England Hwy,” the spokeswoman said.

"The Southern Downs Regional Council were advised of this action and no objections were received.

The spokeswoman said the council was notified of the department's decision to remove the sign "due to its deteriorated condition and lack of readability”.

A council spokeswoman said the council was "supportive of having place marking signs in the region” and work on a signage strategy was under way.

"Replacement of any signage, including along highway road corridors, will be dependent upon the outcome this strategy and any requests to TMR for replacement... will be in keeping with the signage strategy.”

Originally published as Major bypass upgrade tipped to begin early next year