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THE RIGHT PLAN FOR QUEENSLAND’S FUTURE
Walker Street – Bruce Highway intersection upgrade
The LNP has announced it will prioritise the safety of the Wide Bay by delivering a significant upgrade at the notorious Walker Street – Bruce Highway intersection in Maryborough.
An LNP Government would deliver a new roundabout to better control traffic as vehicles enter and pass through the busy stretch, dramatically improving safety at the well-known black spot.
Today, the RACQ’s Unworthy Roads Survey 2024 confirmed Queenslanders believe the Wide Bay section of the Bruce Highway is one of the worst stretches of road in the state.
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said the Walker Street – Bruce Highway upgrade was a priority for the LNP following a staggering increase in deaths on Wide Bay roads in the last year, and a horrific triple fatal crash at the site just months ago.
“The LNP will make this intersection safer for the Maryborough community,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“Labor’s inaction proves they aren’t listening to crash victims’ families and all those Queenslanders who know this intersection is not safe.
“Just today the RACQ released a new report that found the Wide Bay section of the Bruce Highway is one of the most complained about stretches of road in the state and it must be urgently fixed.
“And the Wide Bay-Burnett roads saw about 20 more people killed in 2023 than the year before, making it the deadliest stretch of road in the State.
“The LNP’s Safer Roads, Better Transport Program will get crucial upgrades like this underway, delivering the change Queenslanders are demanding to ensure they and their families can be safe on the roads.
“After decades of regional roads being ignored by Labor, time’s up – Queenslanders are sick of the excuses.
“Labor’s failure to build and maintain the roads our regions need is costing Queenslanders their lives.”
The LNP has committed to funding the State’s share of the $20 million project and would start progressing planning works and detailed design in Government should Queenslanders vote for change on October 26.
LNP Candidate for Maryborough John Barounis said the LNP's plan to upgrade the intersection to a roundabout would save lives in his community.
“It’s simple, the LNP’s project would save lives,” Mr Barounis said.
“In contrast, Labor declared there was nothing wrong with the intersection just days after yet another horrific crash there where three people were killed.
“When family members of those killed were calling for a plan to fix the intersection, the Miles Labor Government released a statement saying the road ‘meets their current safety standards'.
“Too many families in Wide Bay have had to be told their loved ones are never coming home from this intersection, it has been the scene of multiple serious crashes for many years.
“Right now, people in Maryborough are constantly telling me they avoid this intersection altogether because it is just so dangerous.
“Regional Queenslanders are outraged at being constantly forgotten by Labor, by having funding for the basic services they need, like safe roads to travel on, stripped away and left to crumble.
“But nothing will change unless we change the government next month.
“Only the LNP has the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.”