PORT Macquarie-Hastings Council has supported an overpass at the Houston Mitchell Drive and Pacific Highway intersection as a priority project in its strategic transport network plan.
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Council has commended a submission by the Bonny Hills Progress Association Inc, a community advocacy group that has not wavered from rallying for solutions at the black spot intersection.
Council will forward a copy of the group's submission to the Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams MP; the Federal Member for Lyne, Dr Gillespie MP and the Deputy Premier of NSW, Paul Toole MP.
Mayor Peta Pinson commended the Bonny Hills Progress Association's hard work.
Kathy Regan, who is spearheading the overpass campaign for the association, it is a 'big win' in their bid to remove the major traffic hazards posed by an intersection that was never designed for high volumes of traffic.
Mrs Regan acknowledged the many people who contributed to their submission including community volunteers who undertook traffic counts at the intersection and John Drinan, BHPA secretary, who co-ordinated the traffic count and collated the information into useable statements and graphs.
"Also of significance are those who have shared their experiences through the Facebook Group Ghost Road Death Trap," Mrs Regan said.
She said while they are relieved to see extended slip-lanes being installed, the slip-lanes don't help traffic crossing from Houston Mitchell Drive to and from the northbound highway lanes.
"Only an overpass can make them safer," she said.
Councillors acknowledged the temporary safety upgrades currently being undertaken by the State Government at the Houston Mitchell Drive and Pacific Highway intersection.
Cr Geoff Hawkins said the intersection should be one of the Integrated Strategic Transport Network Plan's top priorities because it is a dangerous intersection. He said it should also be acknowledged that Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams is supportive of finding solutions, including the provision of an overpass.
"Our state member is as committed to this as we are, and as our community is, because our community is her community. We're only going to get this done - that's the community and council and the state - if we work together. And that's exactly what we are doing. We need to lift it to another level," he said.
Cr Rob Turner said he was heartened the local MP continued to advocate for solutions.
He said the design work and funding for an overpass will come sooner rather than later.
Council noted the Federal Government decision to fund an overpass further to the south at the intersection of Harrington Road and the Pacific Highway.
Cr Peter Alley said an overpass is an issue council must advocate for in partnership with both State and Federal members.
Work on safety improvements continue
Work is progressing on the $2.9 million safety upgrade to the Houston Mitchell Drive-Pacific Highway intersection.
The Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said the works include installing acceleration and deceleration lanes southbound on the Pacific Highway and widening the road shoulders.
"This will improve safety for motorists turning into and out of Houston Mitchell Drive, helping ensure road users complete their journeys safely," she said.
"Whilst this will dramatically improve safety at this intersection, I am continuing to advocate for a graded separation (overpass) at this location."
Mrs Williams noted the Houston Mitchell Drive intersection will be included as a priority project in council's Integrated Strategic Transport Network Plan.
"I congratulate council for undertaking this initiative and look forward to the opportunity to continue to work closely with Transport for NSW and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to ensure our road network meets the needs of today's road users, as well as addressing future growth," Mrs Williams said.