The tragic death of an elderly motorist at Redland Bay yesterday highlights the urgent need for the State Government to deliver on its year-old promise to upgrade Cleveland-Redland Bay Road, says Mayor Karen Williams.
Cr Williams said the State had promised in February 2016 to install traffic lights to address a black spot at the Giles Road/Cleveland Redland Bay Road intersection.
“Cleveland-Redland Bay Road is a State-controlled road that is often congested because it carries a huge amount of traffic daily,” she said.
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“Council has been trying for quite some time to have the State accept responsibility for the road. We even suggested an innovative market-led proposal funding source to fast-track what is one of the highest priority road works in our city, because it just did not seem to be a priority for the Government.
“I have continued to call for the State to accept its responsibility for this State road and their other main arterial roads, that are the worst choke points in Redland City.
“The announcement of funding for the intersection upgrade was made with much fanfare a year ago. We await a start on the work.
“A commitment to improve intersections is a start but much more action is needed if we are to make this road safe for motorists.”
The State Government announced in February last year that it had allocated $4 million to upgrade the Giles Road/Cleveland-Redland Bay Road at Redland Bay and Bloomfield/Bay Street, Cleveland, intersections. At the time Member for Capalaba Don Brown said he hoped the upgrades would reduce the road toll at the notorious danger spots.
Mr Brown also announced in mid-2016 that the upgrade of Cleveland-Redland Bay Road was now a priority for the government.
“In acknowledging the announcement that the upgrade was a priority, I wrote to Mr Brown thanking him for the announcement that the government was ‘working towards’ the upgrade of the road,” Cr Williams said.
“Council has previously floated the concept of a market-led proposal partnership in which Council would contribute to the upgrade and later recoup the investment from the State.
“Council welcomed the breakthrough that the State was working towards the upgrade which came after months of belief that the State could not invest in upgrades at this time.
“We need to know when we can expect the promised upgrades – and well as additional required roadworks – to begin, to minimise the risk of future tragedies.”
