Council secures federal funding to fix Black Spot intersections
13 June 2021
Road safety upgrades to three intersections will go ahead in Ipswich after a collaboration between council and Federal Government on roads funding.
Council received $359,500 as part of the Commonwealth Government’s Black Spot program to upgrade intersections on the corner of Cemetery Road and Whitehill Road at Eastern Heights, the intersection of Brisbane Road and Esther Street at Riverview and the intersection of Cyprus Street and Hill Street at North Ipswich.
Mayor Teresa Harding said it is council’s priority to improve safety on local roads.
“Thank you to the Commonwealth Government for coming to the table and putting Ipswich road upgrades on the national agenda,” Mayor Harding said.
“Key junctions are vital to council’s iGO Road Safety Action Plan, which targets a 20 per cent reduction of fatal and serious crashes at intersections.
“I look forward to further joint initiatives with our local State and Commonwealth representatives in the years ahead, as our city welcomes an additional 325,000 residents to 2041.”
Raceview Mechanical is located on the corner of Cemetery Road and Whitehill Road at Eastern Heights and owner Alan Forsyth said he is looking forward to the upgrade.
“I’ve seen quite a few accidents and you start to forget how many over the years,” Mr Forsyth said.
“There might be three or four over a couple of months then nothing for a while.
“It will be good to see the intersection improved.”
Queensland Senator Paul Scarr said he was very pleased the Federal Government was funding measures in Ipswich to reduce the risk of crashes.
“The Federal Government is committed to supporting the Ipswich community with these intersection upgrades,” Senator Scarr said.
“The funding from the Federal Government through the Black Spot Program is not only improving safety, but also helping support and stimulate the Ipswich economy during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery.”
Work is expected to be completed at each of the three intersections by the end of the year.