If you have been wondering why cattle grids are being installed at busy intersections adjacent to the Pacific Highway recently, the answer is that they aren’t for cattle.
The grids are for koalas and are designed to prevent the marsupials from accessing the busy Pacific Motorway.
Nationals Parliamentary secretary for northern NSW Ben Franklin said the koala grids, which do look similar to cattle grids, are being progressively installed at a number of locations between Tyagarah and Brunswick Heads.
‘I was thrilled to see one of the first sets of grids which were recently installed on Gulgan Road at Tyagarah,’ Mr Franklin said.
‘Another grid will be installed at Grays Lane, Tyagarah on Tuesday, July 24, weather permitting.’
Motorists are advised that for work to be carried out safely, Grays Lane access to the Pacific Motorway will be closed between 7am and 5pm. Motorists can access Grays Lane via Yarun Road from the Gulgan Road (south) interchange.
Mr Franklin said the final set of koala grids will be installed in coming weeks at the southern Brunswick Heads interchange.
‘A noise wall will also be installed on the eastern side of the Old Pacific Highway to minimise any noise impact to nearby residents from motorists travelling across the grids,’ Mr Franklin said.
‘I advise motorists to drive to the conditions, and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.
For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701
There is no signage to warn motorists to slow down on approach to the grids. The grid going into Mullum from the Highway is in line with an 80Kmph sign. That’s far too fast to drive across them. It damaged the suspension on my car.
I wonder whatever happened to the installation of wildlife overpasses for the Pacific Highway.
Just 2 things,
Firstly could these grids be dangerous to braking motorcycles and their riders in wet conditions as wet steel might as well be black ice for it’s lack of friction.
I’ve already encountered motorists doing semi emergency stops quite unnecessarily immediately before crossing the grids while many motorcycles do not have the safety of ABS.
Also, not all the grids are set at the same level in relation to the road which would create a bigger bump and more risk in the wet for riders
Secondly, The grids appear not to extend to the Koala fence which leave a nice wide gap they can easily pass through between grid and fence, unless that gap has been closed.