North Ipswich safer for pedestrians with new traffic island
15 October 2021
A new traffic island and urban works at the intersection of Lawrence and Pine Streets in North Ipswich is set to improve pedestrian safety, as Council rolls out its $26 million road maintenance and rehabilitation program for 2021-22.
An average of 16,675 vehicles use Pine Street every day, where the new roundabout, landscaping and footpath upgrades have been completed on the thoroughfare between the Ipswich CBD and the northern suburbs.
Division 4 Councillor Russell Milligan said Council had listened to the community and provided important road safety measures such as the pedestrian refuge island.
“The works were needed to improve pedestrian safety and disability access on Lawrence Street, particularly to reconstruct existing kerb ramps to modern standards,” Cr Milligan said.
“However, after community feedback was received, a further review was conducted and the traffic volumes, stopping sight distances and pedestrian crossing points meant more substantial construction works were undertaken to create a safer intersection for all road users.”
Division 4 Councillor Kate Kunzelmann thanked residents and commuters for their patience during the month-long works that now means the popular route in and out of the CBD is safer for all.
“The traffic island allows safer and easier access for pedestrians and families accessing local shops, Browns Park Playspace, North Ipswich Bowls Club as well as Riverlink,” Cr Kunzelmann said.
“Council is committed to improving safety on local roads, and the $26,000 project part of our Sustainable Travel program ensures we can keep motorists and pedestrians safe in north Ipswich.”
Works at the intersection commence earlier this month, involving excavating and replacing footpath and pram ramps,constructing a traffic island, installing new traffic signs and landscaping around the intersection.
The Lawrence Street rehabilitation follows Council’s recent announcement of $1.63 million in upgrades to Rosewood, Walloon, Marburg and Thagoona after local residents felt the area had been forgotten in previous years.
Council’s $26 million road maintenance and rehabilitation budget for 2020-21 includes allocations to fill over 5,000 potholes, repair and resurface a network of over 1,500km of sealed roads, maintain about 260km of gravel roads, and ensure more than 26,000 streetlights are shining bright across the region.
Project information and updates for all works under construction or planned within Council’s three-year capital portfolio are available on an interactive map at: https://maps.ipswich.qld.gov.au/civicprojects