Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) has been successful in an application for more than $700,000 in funding for safety upgrades at two intersections on Crawford Street, Queanbeyan.
The funding is provided through the 2020/21 Australian Government Black Spot Program which targets road locations where crashes are occurring and aims to reduce the risk of crashes and injuries.
Two intersections on Crawford Street – one at Antill Street and the other at Campbell/Erin Streets – have long been of concern to Council as Queanbeyan's population has continued to grow and traffic has increased. Drivers and pedestrians often experience delays and a level of confusion navigating both intersections.
The intersections are close to a major shopping precinct on the edge of the Queanbeyan CBD. Queanbeyan Hospital, aged care facilities, Apex Park, Moore Park, the Queanbeyan Aquatics Centre and a skatepark are also nearby, bringing with them a mix of heavy vehicles, emergency vehicles, commuters and pedestrians all converging on the area.
The Australian Government Black Spot funding will see $67,000 allocated in 2020/21 for planning and design works and close to $640,000 allocated in 2021/22 for construction.
The intersection of Crawford and Antill Streets will see a new set of traffic lights installed to better control the four-way intersection. The intersection of Crawford and Campbell/Erin Streets will see the installation of new medians and signage restricting right turns out of Campbell Street, and restricting right turns into or out of Erin Street. The upgrades will both include additional pedestrian facilities and provisions for cyclists.
QPRC Mayor, Cr Tim Overall said that the designs would be presented to the community for comment when they have progressed further and was confident that the upgrades would improve safety and benefit drivers and pedestrians alike.
"The success in gaining this funding is a credit to QPRC staff and their dedication to improving Queanbeyan's road and pedestrian networks to ensure the safety of our community.
"I want to thank the Federal Government for recognising the importance of these projects and for providing the funding," Mayor Overall said.
The funding permits work to be conducted over two years with construction expected to begin in late 2021 and be completed by mid 2022.
