Council is experiencing rapid population growth, which is increasing traffic demands on many roads throughout the region. To cater for the needs of the community, both now and into the future, Council is planning to upgrade key strategic roads on the network, including Old Gympie Road. The intent is to upgrade the Old Gympie Road corridor between Boundary Road and Anzac Avenue in eight (8) stages over the next 10 years. The project aims to improve road safety, cater for growing and future traffic demands, improve provisions for walking, cycling, and public transport, and improve amenity.

The upgrade of Old Gympie Road between Boundary Road and Anzac Avenue involves:

• Widening from two to four lanes (two in each direction) with separate turning lanes at intersections
• Upgrading existing intersections from roundabouts/give-way control to traffic signals
• Providing on-road bicycle lanes, improved pathways, kerb ramps, and signalised pedestrian crossings at various intersections along the corridor
• Landscaping and vegetation planting to improve amenity and protect and enhance fauna habitat corridors in accordance with Council’s green infrastructure principles
• New drainage infrastructure throughout and new public transport facilities.

A raised median island is required along the corridor to physically divide the carriageways and improve safety for all road users, limiting direct property access to left-in and left-out movements only. Old Gympie Road is classified as an arterial road within Council’s road hierarchy, and it is undesirable to allow uncontrolled right turn movements along a four-lane arterial road. The median island also provides an opportunity to accommodate turn lanes and associated traffic signal infrastructure at the proposed upgraded intersections.

Council is reviewing the provision for U-turns along the Old Gympie Road corridor between Anzac Avenue and Boundary Road, based on feedback received during community consultation. Whilst further traffic analysis is required, the intent is to provide U-turn provisions for standard cars at all signalised intersections along the corridor where it is safe and feasible to do so. Potential additional “mid-block” locations are also being investigated. Whilst it is acknowledged that some residents will need to alter their access route to / from their properties, in most instances, there are alternative routes available.

All impacted driveways will be reconstructed as part of the project. Council will review individual property access requirements for all impacted properties during the preliminary and detailed design process.

Whilst a raised median island is required along the corridor to physically divide the carriageways and improve road safety, you will still be permitted to manoeuvre your boat / caravan into your property if it is safe to do so. The proposed cross section generally includes a shoulder and / or kerbside bicycle lane on both sides of the road, which will provide additional pavement width to manoeuvre into and out of residential properties. Some locations along the corridor will also include a kerbside parking lane which would provide additional manoeuvring space.

Traffic lights are proposed as part of the project because they:

• Are generally the preferred intersection control mechanism for arterial roads
• Can be coordinated to minimise delays along the arterial road and network
• Can give priority to a direction / mode of travel at different times of the day.
• Provide a safer outcome for pedestrians and cyclists.

The closely spaced traffic lights will be co-ordinated to minimise delays along Old Gympie Road.

Old Gympie Road between Nellies Lane and Highet Street will be upgraded as part of the project. Council has prepared a concept sketch for this section which includes installing traffic lights at Nellies Lane and Brickworks Road. Community consultation for this stage of the project is expected to occur during 2021/22.

All new traffic lights will include signalised pedestrian crossings. These crossings will be designed to comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and include standard kerb ramps.

Council is reviewing the provision for U-turns along the Old Gympie Road corridor between Anzac Avenue and Boundary Road, based on feedback received during community consultation. Whilst further traffic analysis is required, the intent is to accommodate U-turns on the southbound approach to the Viney Avenue traffic lights. Unfortunately, it is not feasible to accommodate U-turns on the northbound approach as the proposed median island is not wide enough to accommodate a dedicated U-turn lane. However, an alternative U-turn opportunity will be provided at the Ann Street traffic lights located approximately 250m further north.

Old Gympie Road is classified as an arterial road in Council’s road hierarchy, and it provides a strategic north-south link between Burpengary and Kallangur. To preserve the strategic function of the road, the current concept design seeks to limit the number of all movement intersections along the corridor as much as possible. Whilst Lauder Street is proposed to be limited to left-in and left-out movements only, residents within this catchment will benefit from all movements access via the proposed traffic lights at Viney Avenue. Council is investigating opportunities to include a “mid-block” U-turn facility on Old Gympie Road to the south of Lauder Street, which would provide an alternative access option for southbound motorists on Old Gympie Road.

A key objective of the project is to provide a continuous 2.5m pathway on both sides of the road along the corridor, between Anzac Avenue and Goodwin Road, to improve walking and cycling provisions. There may be opportunities to retain existing pathway infrastructure, which will be determined as the design progresses. Between Goodwin Road and Boundary Road, the pathway is to be maintained on the western side with some minor improvements.

The proposed bicycle provisions for the project are consistent with Council’s standard design for an arterial road. This includes 1.5m to 2.0m wide on-road cycle lanes and 2.5m shared pathways on either side of the carriageway. Cyclists will be permitted to use both on-road and off-road facilities. The provision of separated / dedicated cycle lanes would increase the road reserve and potentially result in land and property resumptions.

Existing bus stops will be upgraded as required as part of the project. The upgraded facilities will be constructed in accordance with relevant standards and specifications and include shelter and seating.

The upgrade will require the removal of some trees. However, Council is working closely with arborists and designers to minimise impacts. The number of trees that will need to be removed will be determined as the project progresses. For every tree removed, Council will plant three new trees in nearby parks as close as possible to the road upgrade. Where large trees are to be removed, Council will install nest box habitat in local parks. There may be an opportunity to repurpose and salvage tree hollows and this will be determined as the design progresses.

An environmental management plan will be prepared before construction starts and will include a measure to manage fauna. A wildlife spotter / catcher will be on site during vegetation clearing work. Council is also aware that wildlife (including koalas) move through the area from time to time and will take all steps necessary to ensure drivers and construction workers are aware of the potential presence of wildlife. Nest boxes in nearby parks will provide compensatory habitat and are planned for installation ahead of tree clearing.

The intersection of Old Gympie Road / Whitehorse Road / Butterfly Drive will be upgraded to traffic lights. Whilst the design seeks to retain existing trees either side of Butterfly Drive, the trees in the median on Butterfly Drive will need to be removed. For every tree removed, Council will plant new trees as close as possible to the road upgrade.

Council is aware of the congestion that occurs on Old Gympie Road in proximity to Kallangur State School during peak periods. The planned upgrade includes the installation of a dedicated school access road on the eastern side of Old Gympie Road. The intent of the access road is to improve the operation and capacity of the existing pick-up / drop-off facilities for the school, to reduce congestion and queueing on Old Gympie Road.

The access road will include a pick-up / drop-off facility, parallel parking along the school frontage, disabled parking bays and a school bus zone. The southern end the access road will terminate at the proposed traffic lights at Storey Road. The traffic lights will include a dedicated phase that will allow school traffic to exit the access road and continue in either direction on Old Gympie Road, or turn left into Storey Road.

The intent is to accommodate parking along the corridor where properties gain access to Old Gympie Road. Unfortunately, parking will not be feasible close to signalised intersections, where additional lanes are required.

The intersection of Old Gympie Road / Whitehorse Road / Butterfly Drive will be upgraded to traffic lights as part of the project. Whilst the existing median on Butterfly Drive in proximity to Old Gympie Road will need to be removed, all other existing traffic management devices along Butterfly Drive will remain in place.

The road upgrade is not expected to encourage speeding along the corridor. There are also numerous traffic lights proposed along the corridor which will assist with managing vehicular speeds.

Access requirements for each stage of the Old Gympie Road upgrade will be determined through the development of the construction methodology, which will be done by the works contractor once appointed. Any access to properties is normally considered as part of the works and a consultation process will be undertaken with the relevant owner to agree a solution with regards property access.

The construction methodology will be determined once the contractor has been appointed for each stage of the upgrade. The public will be advised in advance of what the proposed construction methodology will be.

Whilst noise levels along the corridor are expected to be comparable with and without the proposed upgrade, Council will undertake a noise assessment at various locations along the corridor during the preliminary design.