Dametto calls for North Shore overpass

AN overpass between two key intersections on Townsville’s northern beaches could help ease growing traffic congestion in the area, according to Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto.

Mr Dametto said it was time Transport and Main Roads did an assessment of the benefits an overpass between North Shore Boulevard and nearby Shaw Road could have for motorists in the area.

“As a resident of the northern beaches, I can tell you these two intersections have become a choke point for motorists making their morning commute into the city via the Bruce Highway and then again as they return home in the afternoon,” he said.

“After asking the question it has been made clear to me Transport and Main Roads currently has no funding or plans for an overpass project. I will be writing to the Minister for Transport and Main roads to request that it becomes a priority. The people of the northern beaches deserve adequate infrastructure to keep up with the area’s exponential population growth.

“Morning commutes along this section of the highway means dangerous bumper-to-bumper traffic and high risk merging that could be tidied up with an overpass. This would reduce the amount of accidents along this stretch and bring down travel times.”

Mr Dametto said the nearby Bushland Beach overpass had “done wonders” for that community in terms of streamlining traffic flow.

“There’s no reason why a similar overpass at North Shore couldn’t do the same,” he said.

“A proper assessment by TMR would help gauge the number of vehicles who use that stretch of road on a daily basis and highlight the strain that’s placed on the Bruce Highway as a result of those two intersections.

“I am calling on the State Government to move swiftly on this before it becomes a major issue. Collecting the required data gives us the opportunity to have an evidence based discussion on build this road infrastructure upgrade the north side of Townsville so badly needs.”