Poorly timed roadworks on Tweed Valley Way have the caught the council on the hop.
Traffic conditions at the roadworks site, between the north and south Riverside Drive exits to the village of Tumbulgum, are set to change next Wednesday, April 4, the very day the Games begin.
Admitting there is likely to be confusion and delays caused by the changes, all that the council can do at this late stage is to employ extra traffic controllers to ensure the delays ‘are kept to a minimum as much as possible’.
But that’s not all, there will be further delays for hapless Tweed commuters the following Tuesday, April 10, when Games cycling events affect access to Queensland via Tomewin Road.
A council media release advises motorists using Tweed Valley Way to get to Commonwealth Games events on the Gold Coast to ‘leave early as there could be long delays at the roadworks on Tweed Valley Way at Tumbulgum during the early morning peak;,
The road pavement is being milled off and resealed between the Riverside Drive North and South exits, including the intersection of the North exit and Tweed Valley Way. This task will take two days and motorists should expect long delays.
In lieu of any apology, the council explains that the section of road ‘has a history of serious and fatal crashes and the work is being funded under the Federal Government’s 2017-2018 Blackspot Programme at a cost of $1.3 million’.
A wire rope median will provide physical separation of the north and southbound traffic, the council adds.
Other work will involve new line-markings ‘to improve visibility for motorists turning right out of Riverside Drive on to the 100kmh major arterial road’, after which ‘both northbound and southbound traffic will be directed to travel on the respective shoulders to provide a safe workzone for workers installing a centre wire rope median’.
The council has not explained why no one checked to ensure the complicated works didn’t coincide with the long-planned Commonwealth Games.
As if that wasn’t enough, motorists are advised there will be no access to Queensland via Tomewin Road on Tuesday 10 April due to cycling events being held on the Queensland section. Through motorists to Queensland will be asked to detour via Dulguigan Road.
But wait, there’s more.
Marine Parade, Coolangatta (Qld) will be closed from April 4 to 18 inclusive.
And Tweed Council says it has been notified of potential traffic impacts in Tweed Heads from Brett Street to the border near Twin Towns for a protest march, starting at 9.30am on Tuesday April 3.
At least you’ve been warned – even if it is too late to make other plans.
