Dametto backs petition for safer road

A PETITION calling for safety upgrades to a dangerous stretch of the Bruce Highway responsible for several recent traffic accidents resulting in multiple fatalities has been backed by Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto.

Mr Dametto is sponsoring a parliamentary e-petition by local resident Craig Philpots, which calls on the State Government to fast track an improved design and construction of a half-a-kilometre section of the Bruce Highway at Black River in order to minimise the risk of future motor accidents.

“It’s been made clear to me by several residents just how dangerous this part of the highway is,” Mr Dametto said.

“The section, which includes the Black River bridge, has been patched up to include staggered intersections and a one metre wide break between either side of the single lane highway. These then bottleneck together where it remains at the 100km/h speed limit with narrow width, heavy traffic, a slight incline and a curve.

“In my view, this a serious safety risk and I urge Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to upgrade this section as soon as possible before we have another accident.”

Mr Dametto said motorists travelling along this section of the Bruce Highway “should not have to put up with a substandard design”, particularly when it came to driving at high speed.

“Anything we can do to minimise the chance of future accidents is a good thing and I will be writing to TMR and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey about this issue as well,” he said.

The petition runs until April 27, 2020 and will then be tabled in parliament before being assigned to the relevant government minister for a written response within 30 days.

To view the e-petition, click here.