A week after NSW Labor announced a $1 billion rural roads policy, the state Nats have come out with an announcement of their own – so far two intersections will benefit.
One of them – a dangerous road junction that took the life of a motorcyclist in August 2018 – has been the subject of a local campaign, including by Ballina Greens MP Tamara Smith.
Alstonville on-ramp
Roads minister Melinda Pavey and Nationals Ballina candidate Ben Franklin yesterday announced the government had found $5 million to build a new on-ramp to the Bruxner Highway at the Ballina Road intersection – after the next election.
Following the tragic crash last year the NSW Government has been working closely with the community to come to the best and safest solution for this intersection, which more than 15,000 vehicles use each day,’ Ms Pavey said.
‘A new on ramp at Ellis Road will remove the right turn lane from Ballina Road onto the highway and allow for the smooth merging of traffic
Mr Franklin welcomed this safety boost, saying road safety would be one of his top priorities if elected.
‘Our community was in shock last year after the tragic crash that took a precious life, I will do all I can to ensure our roads are as safe as possible,’ he said.
Traffic lights for Lismore
Ms Pavey then moved on to Lismore where, together with retiring member Thomas George and Nationals candidate Austin Curtin she announced $6 million for the Dawson Street, Bruxner Highway intersection, replacing the existing roundabout with traffic lights.
Mrs Pavey said a concept plan for the new traffic signals had already been completed, which meant design work on the new traffic lights would start immediately.
‘Traffic lights will be coordinated with other signal sites in Lismore, providing the greatest level of efficiency and safety for all road users,’ Mrs Pavey said.
She added that, if returned, the government would start work on concept designs for the intersection immediately and community consultation would occur in the second half of 2019.
Ah! good to see they have taken up an idea I proposed. (I said more use should be made of the Wardell Rd overpass & the Industrial area on/off ramps.)
Well done! Just build it before someone else is killed please.
My wife uses a route that ensures she does not cross the Bruxner due to the danger. She refuses to turn right at the Alphadale Rd intersection onto the Bruxner. There have been fatalities at that intersection also.
Lismore does not need annother set of traffic lights. Take your Sydney ideas banck there.?
Dumb ideas for Alstonville and Lismore. If you put a westbound on ramp at Ellis Road that will negate the concept of bypassing Alstonville because you’ll now need to head back into town along Ballina Road up to the Plaza, then turn left and head along Wardell Road to access Ellis Road. That’s why the RMS didn’t do it in the first place.
The Dawson / Bruxner roundabout isn’t the dangerous one; its the Conway / Bruxner one near the Mercedes dealer. Weird approach angles and a slip lane make for a disaster in the waiting.
Boy a shame they haven’t got it right for Lismore. The Conway/Whyralla is the current bottle neck intersection. But typical Nat/Lib mix ups.
Now watch the traffic light haters come out of the woodwork. Predictable as clockwork. Every excuse under the sun not to have them. Let the actual traffic planners decide, eh?