RACQ calls on govt to fast-track works on deadly Warrego

ONE in five deaths on Queensland roads this year have occurred on the Warrego and Bruce highways.

ONE in five deaths on Queensland roads this year have occurred on the Warrego and Bruce highways.

RACQ has highlighted this statistic to convince the Federal Government to deliver on promises to fund improvements on these roads.

It includes a commitment of $508 million for the Warrego Hwy and $700 million for the Towooomba Bypass.

More than $6.5 billion was promised for the Bruce Hwy.

RACQ executive general manager advocacy Paul Turner said the new Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss had a vital role in actioning the Federal Government's promises to fix these key national highways.

"Since the start of the year 201 people have died on our roads across the state, with almost 20 percent of the fatalities occurring on the Bruce and the Warrego," Mr Turner said.

"These funding promises must be put into action as soon as possible to help reduce Queensland's alarming road toll."

Mr Turner said the Bruce and Warrego highways were the focus of RACQ's election campaign, with 45% of the Bruce and 39% of the Warrego rated only one and two stars out of five for safety in the recent Australian Road Assessment Program report.

"In the next 20 years more than 5800 deaths and serious injuries could be prevented on the Bruce and more than 1700 could be prevented on the Warrego by completing the safety improvements recommended by AusRAP," Mr Turner said.

"We're calling on the Federal Government to also fund these required safety improvements to save hundreds of lives. As key routes for freight, tourism and commuter traffic in Queensland, it's unacceptable for the Bruce and Warrego highways to be substandard."

Originally published as RACQ calls on govt to fast-track works on deadly Warrego