Capricorn Highway Upgrade Gracemere Intersection (McLaughlin Street)
Project info
The Department of Transport and Main Roads announced in May 2009 plans to address Capricorn Highway safety concerns at the Gavial-Gracemere Road (McLaughlin Street) intersection and the Old Capricorn Highway intersection in Gracemere.
Following a four week public submission period, in which the department sought feedback on the intersection upgrade proposals, Main Roads received 24 separate community submissions. Over the past three months, these submissions have been assessed and reviewed by the project team in an effort to deliver an intersection upgrade which best meets community expectations, engineering guidelines, funding limitations and safety.
Through the review process, there have been significant changes to the originally proposed upgrades at the Old Capricorn Highway intersection.
In summary, changes to traffic movements at the Old Capricorn Highway (Fairybower Road) intersection have been minimised with the upgrade now to include:
- Installation of stop signs at the Old Capricorn Highway and Fairybower Road intersection with the Capricorn Highway.
- Reduction of the Capricorn Highway speed limit between the Old Capricorn Highway intersection and Gracemere to 80 km/h.
It is expected that the Capricorn Highway speed limit reduction will increase safety for vehicles merging into highway traffic. The placement of stop signs, in preference to give way signs, will also ensure motorists stop and identify where they will merge with highway traffic before entering the intersection.
At the McLaughlin Street intersection, many of the public submissions primarily raised concern about traffic being delayed and queuing back through the Gracemere State School roundabout.
Main Roads has now undertaken a further traffic flow modelling review using current (April 2009) traffic data for the Capricorn Highway, McLaughlin Street and Old Capricorn Highway. This review has confirmed that queues at the proposed traffic lights will not be excessive and will not impact upon the Gracemere State School roundabout. Traffic signals will therefore remain a key feature of the new McLaughlin Street entrance to Gracemere.
The intersection works outlined above will directly address safety concerns and cater for the continued growth of Gracemere well into the future.
Installation of the new signage at the Old Capricorn Highway/Fairybower Road intersection is expected to be completed by the end of September. Works to install the new traffic signals at McLaughlin Street are programmed to commence in late October.
When work commences, significant changes in traffic conditions will occur and motorists are advised to exercise caution and observe all warning signs, speed restrictions and traffic controller directions during the construction period.
Contact details
Last updated: 03 September 2009
