Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt believes that the speed limit in the vicinity of the Wright’s Creek Bridge should be reduced from 100 kph to 80 kph.
“The bridge at Wrights Creek is well known to locals as a dangerous section of the highway and has been this way since I was a kid,” Mr Pitt said.
“The road works currently taking place as part of the intersection upgrade to the Warner Road Yarrabah turnoff provides an opportunity to reduce speeding by default, but will only do so while the works are in progress.
“The northbound traffic is already slowed significantly but southbound traffic can still fly around the bend.
“I’m calling on the Government to reduce the speed limit to 80 kph – at least until upgrades are made to the Wrights Creek bridge.”
Mr Pitt said that funding has not been allocated for this project in the current Roads Implementation Program and as such timing for this project is yet to be determined.
“It is my understanding that the Department of Transport and Main Roads has undertaken some preliminary planning and some of the relevant properties have already been resumed. This is a good start,” Mr Pitt said.
“But people’s concerns about this bridge are not new and serious consideration must be given to making this project a priority for the southern side of Cairns.”
Mr Pitt stopped short of blaming the road for the recent spate of fatalities in the area, and said that it was a disgrace to hear people using the tragic events for political mileage.
“The critical factor in these incidents was speed and driver error, not the road,” Mr Pitt said.
“Each day, vehicles driven in opposite directions pass each other within metres, travelling at high speed. Every time, the potential is there for disaster if drivers have a lapse in concentration or drive recklessly.
“The recent losses on our roads have been tragic but offer a timely reminder that all road users have a responsibility to drive to survive.”
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