The Australian Government’s Black Spots Program is improving pedestrian and driver safety in Central Queensland.

A new 1.5-metre-wide footpath on Rodboro Street, from McKean Street to Water Street in Berserker, Rockhampton has been completed.

These upgrades have significantly improved safety and accessibility for residents in Rockhampton and surrounding areas.

Works also included the installation of splitter islands, a broken dividing line along Rodboro Street and improvements to sight distance.

The Rockhampton Regional Council received $1,270,500 from the Australian Government to deliver these works, with the four-month-long project delivered on time.

Rodboro Street has experienced a high number of crashes for a road with relatively low traffic volumes, concentrated around the intersections of Berserker and Dean streets.

This project will contribute towards reducing serious injuries and deaths on Queensland’s roads and build on previous investments in the state.

The Australian Government continues to invest $150 million per year in the Black Spots Program, which funds safety measures including footpaths, traffic signals and roundabouts at locations where a number of serious crashes are known to have occurred, or are at risk of occurring.

For more information, visit: https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/about/local-initiatives/black-spots-program

Quotes attributable to Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Senator for Queensland Anthony Chisholm:

“The Albanese Government is delivering on our promise to build safer roads for Australian communities.

“Removing Black Spots are a major part of our commitment to work with local councils, and we were proud to support Rockhampton Regional Council to fund crucial road safety works they identified.

“These upgrades in Berserker will make the road safer for pedestrians and motorists. This is about delivering lasting infrastructure in Rockhampton to ensure smoother journeys for locals. 

“The Black Spots Program is driven by communities, for communities. I encourage anyone who knows of a Black Spot near them to nominate it for investigation.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister Julian Hill:

"A massive thanks to Mayor Tony Williams, Deputy Mayor Drew Wickerson and the Rockhampton Council for delivering this project on time in partnership with the federal Labor government.

“I was a Mayor in my 20s, and know that government works best when all level of government work together to deliver outcomes for local communities.”

Quotes attributable to the Deputy Mayor of Rockhampton Regional Council Drew Wickerson:

“We thank the Australian Government for their support in funding the entire project which features a new footpath running from McKean Street to Water Street, along with other road improvements.

“Our aim for this project was to improve the street for residents, pedestrians and motorists, and   we have delivered.

“This is a popular area for local sporting communities, particularly with the presence of three sporting fields within walking distance. 

“The brand new 1.5-metre-wide footpath helps keep pedestrians off the road and safe, especially when walking the suburb or between the sporting fields.

“Rodboro Street has also been the site of a high number of traffic accidents in recent years – at the intersections of Berserker Street and Dean Street, which highlighted the need for improvement and made the project eligible for the Black Spots Program.”

Quotes attributable to Infrastructure Councillor of Rockhampton Regional Council Marika Taylor:

“The works focused on breaking up the long, straight stretch of Rodboro Street to change driver behaviour.

“Our crash data showed most incidents on Rodboro Street occurred because drivers failed to notice approaching intersections and continued through them at speed.

“We addressed this issue by adding splitter islands, mini-roundabouts, increasing signage, and we will upgrade lighting to improve intersection visibility.

“These measures should encourage motorists to reduce their speed on approach, thereby increasing the likelihood of changing driver behaviour.

“This was all achieved within the existing road footprint, which is a credit to our crews to make this possible.”