While the Pacific Highway’s four lane upgrade has been completed, the NSW Government is now facing calls to invest in further works to help improve the road’s safety.
Lyne MP Dr David Gillespie told Parliament on Tuesday the Pacific Highway needed overpasses and interchanges at vital intersections where there had been accidents and high traffic flows in the past.
“Population growth along the Pacific Highway corridor, combined with increasing tourism traffic has made many of these major intersections busy at peak times, raising further safety concerns,” Dr Gillespie said.
“In recent times, we have seen fatal accidents at these busy intersections and it’s now time for them all to be upgraded.”
Dr Gillespie identified the Medowie Road, Italia Road and Buckets Way intersections north of Raymond Terrace as in particular need of an interchange or overpass following various fatal crashes in recent years.
“All of these intersections are a priority and need to be upgraded sooner rather than later. It is something we must put on the agenda now so that further investment can be made by the State and Federal Governments,” Dr Gillespie said.
“The community at all of these locations are seeking interchanges and overpasses at these intersections and I believe they deserve nothing less.”
Dr Gillespie said he would be pursuing the issue with the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, and the NSW Minister for Regional Roads and Transport.