A major safety upgrade which involved the installation of traffic signals and street lighting at the intersection of Keswick Road, Wulkuraka Connection Road and Butterfield Road at Karrabin has been completed.
Division 4 Councillor Jim Madden said the works included the installation of traffic signals, 120m of footpath and line-marking.
The total cost of the project was about $1 million, which included $198,000 in grant funding under the Queensland Government’s School Transport Infrastructure Program.
“This is a high-growth area of Ipswich, with more people moving to surrounding suburbs. There have been crashes at this location in the past, so this work was priority for council,” Cr Madden said.
“The project addresses vehicle capacity, safety and operational issues, and supports planned growth within the area, including managing traffic volumes around local school pick-up and drop-off times.
“Wulkuraka Connection Road is a key arterial road which is identified within council’s transport plan, iGO – The City of Ipswich Transport Plan, as a secondary freight route connecting the Warrego Highway with the business and industry area in Wulkuraka, via Karrabin Rosewood Road and Toongarra Road.”
Division 4 Councillor David Martin said it was great to see the construction finished for footpaths and kerb ramps, landscaping and turfing of disturbed areas, and installation of light poles and traffic signals.
“The completion date was delayed due to the replacement of a boundary fence, removal and reinstatement of line-marking at the new signalised intersection, and the connection of street lighting and traffic signals by Energex,” Cr Martin said.
“The intersection has become particularly busy due to growth in traffic along Wulkuraka Connection Road and continued growth in traffic associated with West Moreton Anglican College.
“There have been a number of crashes at the intersection. There have also been crashes with motorists exiting Keswick Road choosing inappropriate gaps in traffic on Wulkuraka Connection Road.
“Council has previously undertaken some safety upgrades under a blackspot project and this major upgrade will further promote safety in the area.”