A $38 million upgrade of Steve Irwin Way in Queensland’s Glasshouse Mountains region has been completed, with motorists set to benefit from a variety of road safety upgrades along the notorious crash site.
The road running between Beerwah and the Glass House Mountains has received wide centre line treatment, road and shoulder widening, dedicated turn lanes and local service lanes to access businesses and private residences.
It also involved culvert replacement, street lighting improvements, the installation of safety barriers and line-marking at bike rider conflict points.
The upgrades are part of the wider $511.5 million Road Safety Program, and was funded in a 50:50 split between the federal and state governments.
“With Steve Irwin Way being a key connector to the Bruce Highway it’s expected this project will improve safety and accessibility for the more than 14,000 vehicles that use this road daily,” Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development Anthony Chisholm says.
“This project also builds upon jointly funded works completed in late 2022 to improve safety along a stretch of Steve Irwin Way between Beerwah and Landsborough, which runs past Australia Zoo, further extending safety treatments that have been delivered along this busy road.”
Queensland Minister for Transport Brent Mickelberg lauded the safety improvements the addition of service roads would make for local businesses.
“The new service roads, turning lanes and formal entry and exit points on both sides of the road at the roadside shops at Glass House Mountains will significantly improve safety for customers, business owners and nearby residents, as well as other road users travelling past this location,” Mickelberg says.
“A wider road provides greater separation between opposing traffic flows and more space for road users to move off the road when required, helping to reduce crash risk.
“The project also provides much needed improvements to the informal parking area and road verge at the main roadside shops complex, where new kerbs, a paved parking area and resurfaced road shoulders will now help to prevent potholes from forming as they previously did at this location.”
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