Sunshine Coast Council is “considering all options” to remedy peak-hour traffic chaos and confusion at a busy intersection that an average 26,000 motorists use daily.
The Moffat Beach thoroughfare has been a scene of lengthy delays and a recent accident, despite council monitoring traffic flow and reinstating sensors following recent important safety improvements.
Lane changes heading south at the traffic lights at the Buccleugh/Roderick St intersection – used by motorists to access Moffat, Dicky, Kings and Shelly beaches, as well as the Caloundra CBD – are causing peak-hour chaos daily, with traffic banked back in some instances to Currimundi, 1.5km away.
Until recently, motorists could turn left to Moffat Beach via Roderick St at the Buccleugh St lights or go straight on to Caloundra, and use the right-hand lane to turn right into Roderick Street or continue southbound towards Caloundra.
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The headaches have been created by the two straight lanes that were previously used being made into one lane only to go straight or left into Roderick Street, and by the right-hand lane being changed to right-turn-only, which locals say is “bizarre” as hardly anyone turns right there.
It is controlled by an arrow at the lights, forcing great volumes of traffic heading left to Moffat Beach or straight ahead to Caloundra into the single left lane.
To date, more than 1900 people have signed a change.org petition to remove the right-hand turn completely.
A council spokesperson said the intersection would continue to be monitored to determine if any further improvements could be made.
“Pedestrian and motorist safety has always been, and will continue to be, our highest priority and we will be considering all options to achieve that objective while also improving traffic flow,” the spokesperson said.
“We thank the community for your patience while we undertake this monitoring.”
