Next stage of busy Bay intersection upgrade underway
Work gets underway this week on the next stage of a critical upgrade to one of the busiest intersections in Hervey Bay.
Fraser Coast Deputy Mayor Denis Chapman said underground water mains at the four-way intersection of Boundary Road, Robert Street and Hughes Road would be relocated over the next six months to pave the way for traffic lights to be installed.
“This intersection services three schools – Urangan High, Sandy Straits State School and Star of the Sea Primary School – as well as three childcare centres,” he said.
“The four-way intersection is particularly busy around school drop off and pick up times, with the upgrade needed to improve traffic flow and make this area safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
“The upgrade is especially important given work on the Boundary Road extension to Urraween Road will be finished in mid-2024, creating a second major east-west route through Hervey Bay linking the airport and the medical precinct.”
Cr Jan Hegge said power lines and electrical infrastructure were relocated in the first stage of the intersection upgrade in 2021.
“Local contractors Kirbro Contracting Pty Ltd have been awarded the contract to deliver the next stage of this project, the water main relocation works, which are expected to be completed by mid-2024,” she said.
“There will be changed traffic conditions at various times during the water main relocation, including a full closure of a section of Robert Street for about two weeks, with the contractors to make every effort to minimise the impact on nearby residents, businesses and motorists.
“The third and final stage of this $10 million intersection upgrade is the installation of traffic lights, which is expected to start in mid-2024 and take about 12 months to complete.
“We appreciate that these works will cause some inconvenience while underway, but the end result will be a safer intersection and improved travel times.
“Council is committed to planning for the future and investing in high-quality public infrastructure to keep pace with growth, and that’s what this project seeks to achieve.”