Timeframe revealed for upgrade at deadly intersection

YES it's still going to be a roundabout. Here's when the big roundabout at the Stanthorpe Southern Bypass will be finished.

ABOUT TIME: The plan for a $9.1m roundabout at Stanthorpe southern bypass at the intersection of New England Highway and Wallangarra Rd, as at November 7, 2018. Picture: Design Systems

THE highway intersection where his daughter and friend were both killed still gives Ballandean winemaker Tony Hassall nightmares, but a major roundabout now being built will help ease the pain.

Roadworks to construct the long-awaited Stanthorpe Southern Bypass roundabout on the New England Hwy will be finished by the end of February, weather permitting, the Department of Transport and Main Roads has confirmed.

"We think it's fantastic - it's just a shame it's taken so long," Mr Hassall said.

"It's coming up 16 years since Nikki was killed there with her friend Paul, and I think there's been two other people killed since then."

Nikki, 20, was traveling with her brother and three friends to her family's Ballandean winery to pick its first vintage on March 14, 2003.

An elderly driver with poor eyesight who was confused by the New England Hwy Stanthorpe Southern Bypass failed to stop and slammed head-on into her car.

Mr Hassall was 100m behind her and saw the crash.

He and his wife Julia are reminded of their loss daily as they drive that stretch of highway.

"It's been a hard thing, and even when I drive in the direction that Nikki was driving - from Warwick to Ballandean...I have that nightmare quite a bit," Mr Hassall said.

"Somebody starts driving down that road, and you wonder if they're going to slow down and stop. It's been terrible."

Construction at the site has been visible for months, and while a roundabout may not yet be noticeable to the untrained eye, it remains the central focus of the upgrade.

A Department spokesperson said works began in August and the upgrade will "improve safety, reduce speed and streamline intersection usage".

Southern Downs MP James Lister said he was grateful to his predecessor Lawrence Springborg for fighting to have the roundabout prioritised and funded by the state and federal governments.

"I believe it will save lives," he said.

Southern Downs Regional Council portfolio manager for transport Marika McNichol said the project was "well overdue".

"It's coming on really nicely - I've been watching it develop and they are doing a really good job," Cr McNichol said.

Tony Hassall and his wife Julia removed the commemorative cross from the intersection site earlier this year, after a request by the department. They plan to erect one at another location once the road upgrade is complete.

Originally published as Timeframe revealed for upgrade at deadly intersection