WORK will start in October on long awaited traffic lights at Mount Cotton State School.
The lights at the intersection of Sanctuary and Mount Cotton roads are expected to make a big difference during pick up and drop off times when traffic backs up dangerously from the school’s car park.
Housing Minister and Springwood MP Mick de Brenni said he also would start talks soon with the school’s P&C about the best way to build a crossing in front of the school on Mount Cotton Road.
Last month P&C members complained that he had not conferred with them.
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Mr de Brenni said design work was already under way and construction on the $1.7 million traffic lights was expected to start in three to four weeks, weather permitting.
“Parents have told me that it can be a nightmare to turn right in the mornings and afternoons and that it’s only a matter of time before a significant accident occurs,” he said.
“...I will be working with the school and local community on signalling frequency and broader issues around school facilities and parking as we head into term four.”
Mr de Brenni said the works were part of a $13 million safety upgrade for Mount Cotton Road, including nine kilometres of wider centrelines.
“Mount Cotton Road is one of Redland’s busy roads, with almost 19,000 vehicles each day travelling across it,” Mr de Brenni said.
“As the new local MP for the area I want to make sure that we are doing everything possible to ensure safety on the road. There has been too much tragedy already.”
Wider centreline markings had been shown to help prevent head-on crashes.
The 9km of wider centreline strip would run between the Lyndon Road and Duncan Road intersection at Sheldon and the Valley Way intersection at Mount Cotton.
Work would also include shoulder and pavement widening, guard rail installation, signage, drainage, paving and provision of safer pedestrian and cycle crossings at existing signalised intersections.
“When complete, this project will make travel significantly safer for locals,” he said. “This road has seen some horror accidents over time and these new line markings are a proven and sensible way of making the road safer.”
Work on the centreline project is expected to be completed mid-next year, weather permitting.
