A section of road that has been the scene of multiple crashes has been overhauled in a bid to make it safer.
The roughly 2km stretch of Steve Irwin Way at Glass House Mountains – from just north of Reed Street to just south of Amy Drive – received a range of improvements during a seven-month period.
Works were completed ahead of schedule in January.
A Transport and Main Roads spokesperson outlined why the project was important.
“This stretch of road has a history of frequent crashes and the upgrades were designed to minimise such incidents,” they said.
Improvements included road and shoulder widening, wide centre-line treatment, new dedicated right- and left-turn lanes at Kings Road and Beerwah Glasshouse Mountains Motel, a right-turn lane at Waterworths Nursery and two new service roads to streamline access to businesses and private residences on both sides of the road at the roadside shops area.
“Safety improvements at the main roadside shops complex are a key feature of the project,” the spokesperson said.
“Visitors to this popular local shopping destination now benefit from dedicated entry and exit points, new turning lanes and a formalised parking area.”
The project also included the extension and replacement of culverts, pavement rehabilitation, improvements to street lighting, on-road bike lanes and other bike rider provisions including line-marking at conflict points, and safety barrier installation.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
Half of the $38 million for the project was from federal funding secured by Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace, with the state government contributing the other half.
The initiative was part of the Road Safety Program and followed works to improve safety along a stretch of Steve Irwin Way between Beerwah and Landsborough, past Australia Zoo, completed in late 2022.
Member for Glass House Andrew Powell welcomed the latest upgrades.
“The recently completed roadworks offer huge safety improvements,” he said.
“With the popularity of the roadside businesses, it’s always been a challenging stretch for motorists to traverse.
“The added benefit for the businesses, with dedicated car parking, is simply brilliant.”
TMR is also progressing design for additional safety improvements on Steve Irwin Way between Amy Drive and Roys Road, as an extension to the recently completed project.
But there is no funding currently allocated for its construction.
Mr Powell said he was eager to see it become a reality.
“It’s now the highest priority for me,” he said.
“With the section between Beerburrum Road and Reed Street being addressed through the B2N rail project, the Amy Drive to Roys Road stretch is the only outstanding piece left to be planned, costed and delivered.
“I’ll be working with TMR to try and make it a reality as soon as possible.”
