ONE of the busiest intersections in Hervey Bay is set to become a lot safer with the installation of much-needed traffic lights.
Electrical and excavation works are due to begin at the intersection of Boundary Road, Robert and Hughes streets on Monday, 15 February – paving the way for the erection of traffic lights in early 2022.
Fraser Coast Regional Council Deputy Mayor Darren Everard said the intersection was particularly busy around school drop-off and pick-up times.
“The intersection services three schools – Urangan High, Sandy Straits State School and the Star of the Sea Primary School as well as a childcare centre. Boundary Road is also one of the major east-west thoroughfares in Hervey Bay – connecting to the airport and medical precinct,” Cr Everard said.
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Civil works will begin next week to allow for the relocation of the Ergon 11kV powerlines.
Ergon will then underground the 66kV overhead powerlines that cross the intersection. Council said Ergon’s jobs are expected to be completed during the Easter school holidays.
Cr Everard said Boundary Road would be reduced to one lane for four weeks while the initial excavation works are underway.
“Temporary traffic lights will be installed at locations close to the intersection to minimise traffic disruptions,” he said.
“A traffic controller will be on site between 7am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, to oversee the operation of the lights to smooth out traffic flow during the morning and afternoon rush hours.”
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The lights will have motion detectors to ensure queues are kept to a minimum outside of work hours.
“We thank everyone in advance for their patience and consideration while this important work is underway. It will be short term pain for long term gain,” Cr Everard said.
The trenching works for the 11kV power line will be at the rear of houses along the northern side of Boundary Road, across the intersection and in front of properties along the southern side of Boundary Road and the western side of Hughes roads.
The trench for the high voltage 66kV line will follow the northern side of Boundary Road, down Robert Street to a pole located adjacent to the Sandy Strait State School boundary.
To reduce disruption to the shop on the corner of Hughes Road and Boundary Road, excavation along Hughes Road will be undertaken over the weekend of February 27 and 28, weather permitting.
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The $300,000 project is being undertaken by Jac Civil and is anticipated to be completed by March 12, weather permitting.
Cr Everard said the intersection upgrade was especially important given planning was underway now for a $21-million extension of Boundary Road.
“We expect the volume of traffic on Boundary Road will increase when the missing link to join it with Urraween Road is completed within the next two years,” he said.
“By joining Boundary and Urraween roads a second major east-west thoroughfare through Hervey Bay will be created. The road will cut travel times and take traffic off Boat Harbour Drive.”
The next stage of the project, to install traffic lights and remodel the intersection, is scheduled to start in early 2022.