The Queensland Government has committed $3.47 million to improve road safety in Mareeba’s CBD.
Yesterday, Minister for Transport and Main Roads, the Honourable Mark Bailey announced plans to upgrade the intersection on Byrnes and Rankin Streets by replacing the existing roundabout with traffic lights to enhance safety for all road users.
Mareeba Shire Mayor Tom Gilmore welcomed the announcement and initiative. “This improvement to traffic management in our main street will eliminate the roundabout which is considered to be dangerous to both cyclists and pedestrians in particular,” Cr Gilmore said.
The intersection currently accommodates high pedestrian demands with these movements occurring in an uncontrolled manner.
“This outcome was prompted by a joint traffic management study of Mareeba’s CBD which revealed that the Byrnes and Rankin Streets crossroad is the busiest and most dangerous intersection in the town with over 15,000 vehicles passing through each day,” Cr Gilmore said.
“While not currently at capacity, the high incidence of crashes and the significant pedestrian demands would indicate that control of the movements is required to safely accommodate all road users.”
The funding is part of an $8.5 million state-wide initiative to improve safety for all road users including cyclists, pedestrians and motorbike riders across Queensland.