Authorities have decided to change the traffic flow on a key bridge while it is being upgraded, after a wave of community backlash.
Noosa Council has approved the implementation of two-way traffic on a single lane, using traffic lights, over the Doonella Lake Bridge while it is being improved.
The bridge will be closed for scheduled works on Friday night and will then re-open to all traffic on Saturday at 5am, under the new arrangement that will allow vehicles to travel in both directions between Tewantin and Noosaville.
The decision follows traffic monitoring and mounting pressure from commuters and business owners, who were frustrated by the closure of the westbound land and a diversion which was in effect from Tuesday.
Hundreds of motorists took to social media to criticise that move, with some saying they had to travel an extra hour. Meanwhile, Tewantin business operators expressed concerns about the impacts on customers, staff and activity.
Mayor Frank Wilkie said, on Wednesday night, that the situation would be reviewed into next week, but it appears the council has decided to make a change significantly earlier.
Noosa Council CEO Larry Sengstock said the revised traffic arrangement reflected the council’s commitment to listening and responding to community concerns while ensuring the bridge upgrade can continue safely and efficiently.
“We have listened to the concerns of local businesses and the broader community regarding access to and from Tewantin,” he said.
“I want to stress that this change will not eliminate traffic congestion and delays associated with this major infrastructure project, but it will provide motorists with greater choice in how they opt to travel across the Noosa road network.
“We will continue to closely monitor traffic conditions on the local road network, with the arrangement to be reviewed as required to assist traffic flow and ensure community safety and project delivery objectives are maintained.”
The new traffic arrangement will also result in disruption to some Translink bus services. Passengers were encouraged to check Translink service updates and plan their travel accordingly.
Motorists were urged to allow extra travel time, consider whether journeys can be undertaken outside peak periods and follow all traffic management directions while travelling through the area.
This decision and announcement means there will no longer be a requirement for a special council meeting on Monday, as previously proposed.
Noosa Council Infrastructure services director Shaun Walsh said, last month, that the bridge works were necessary and that it could take six months.
He said that traffic modelling showed a one-way flow of traffic eastbound over the bridge with a westbound detour would create far less congestion and delays than having east and westbound traffic share one lane of the bridge in a stop-go arrangement.
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