CAPALABA MP Don Brown fears motorists driving on Rickertt Road during rush hour may face more congestion on the back of Brisbane City Council plans to install traffic lights.
Brisbane City Council released designs for a set of lights at the intersection of Rickertt and Chelsea Road at Ransome, but Capalaba MP Don Brown said it would cause chaos for drivers using the road during peak times.
"This is an absolute ridiculous proposal for the Redlands community. Those traveling on Rickertt Road will now go from four lanes into two lanes, into four lanes and stop at a set of lights, then back into two lanes," he said.
Brisbane infrastructure chairman David McLachlan said Mr Brown had flip flopped on the Chelsea and Rickertt Road upgrade for years.
"He is again slinging mud from the sidelines," he said.
Rickertt Road carries about 25,000 vehicles a day, and is a thoroughfare for motorists travelling between Redlands and Brisbane.
Mr Brown said he had grave concerns that the lights would slow down peak-hour commutes, meaning motorists would have to stop at the lights - instead of Chelsea Road commuters giving way to free flowing Rickertt Road drivers.
"This will cause traffic chaos in such a short stretch of road.
"I am not saying that the lights are not needed, but council should be taking the opportunity to finally upgrade by making Rickertt Road into four lanes all the way. Do it once, do it right," he said.
In February this year, Mr Brown called on Brisbane to upgrade Rickertt Road as it was prone to flooding.
The Rickertt and Chelsea Road upgrade is aimed at improving safety for users and to improve traffic flow through the intersection.
Cr McLachlan said the project would widen Rickertt Road at the intersection.
"The upgrade will install traffic lights with right and left turn lanes in both directions to provide safe entry and exit to Rickertt Road," Cr McLachlan said.
"...First Mr Brown was criticising council for not budgeting for the project, and now he's criticising council for delivering the work".
Cr McLachlan said his department had liaised with Redland City Council during design, with the most recent contact being last week.
He said the road could be expanded to four lanes in the future, but was not yet in the budget.
