Significant junctions, including a “tricky” inner-town intersection, are in line for upgrades after both major parties announced funding commitments.
The Chevallum Road, Jubilee Drive and Margaret Street connections at Palmwoods and the Diamond and Elm streets and the Myall and Elm streets crossroads at Cooroy have been earmarked for improvements.
Labor committed $2 million while the LNP committed $700,000 for the Palmwoods junction and $500,000 for the Cooroy intersections.
The funding would essentially go towards business cases that would inform the work that needs to be done.
Labor member for Nicklin Rob Skelton said it was important to improve safety and traffic flow at Palmwoods.
“Road safety matters to my community,” he said.
“I will continue to collaborate with (Sunshine Coast) council to find the best solution for Palmwoods,” he said.
“That is a tricky intersection and, with a growing population, we know we need to fix it sooner rather than later.”
The work would involve addressing neighbouring junctions on either side of the rail bridge, including the Chevallum Road and Woombye Palmwoods Road T-intersection to the east and the Jubilee Drive, Margaret Street, Woombye Palmwoods Road intersection to the west.
LNP candidate Marty Hunt said the party will identify the best solution to ensure safety of motorists and pedestrians.
“Labor has ignored the concerns of this community, with residents raising this issue repeatedly with the state government,” he said.
Palmwoods Community & Business Association president Dave Dangerfield essentially said works were overdue.
“Local residents have been petitioning the state government for many years to address this key road safety issue,” he said.
A business case is also slated for the Diamond and Elm streets and Myall and Elm streets intersections at Cooroy.
Labor stated that options that allow for future traffic growth and pedestrian and cyclist safety have been identified.
“This funding will speed up the process to a safe fix,” Mr Skelton said.
“I want to thank all the community advocates who have pushed hard to make this happen.”
Labor’s funding pledge comes after upgrades to Myall Street, including resurfacing, were announced in August.
The LNP also announced that it would also fund a business case for the Cooroy intersections if elected.
Mr Hunt said the funding would identify the best way forward.
“This business case and design works will identify the best solution to ensure safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians navigating these dangerous intersections and finally provide the residents of Cooroy with a resolution to this continuing community issue,” he said.
“The current Labor member promised before the 2020 election that he would do something about these intersections, but nothing has happened.
“Families in Cooroy are sick of talk fests, they just want to get on with the job.”
The aerial imagery in this story is from Australian location intelligence company Nearmap. The company provides government organisations, architectural, construction and engineering firms, and other companies, with easy, instant access to high-resolution aerial imagery, city-scale 3D content, artificial intelligence data sets, and geospatial tools to assist with urban planning, monitoring and development projects in Australia, New Zealand and North America.
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