Boom gates and flashing lights boost safety at rail crossings in Queensland

Thursday, 18 March 2010

The level rail crossing at Maher Road, Gordonvale in Far North Queensland has received a significant safety upgrade, following the installation of new boom gates and flashing lights under the Boom Gates for Rail Crossings Program.

This was one of eight priority open level crossings upgraded in June 2009 under the Program.

The Program has received an overall $42.74 million from the Federal Government’s Nation Building-Economic Stimulus Plan to upgrade a total of 66 priority level crossings throughout the state.

The Maher Road crossing upgrade, which has 3000 trains per annum pass through, is in response to several reports by train drivers of ‘near-misses’ and a fatality in 2008.

The installation of boom gates and flashing lights at the crossing, as well as upgraded road markings and signage for Bruce Highway motorists, should provide a significant improvement on the earlier passive protection provided by signage and road markings.

Similar upgrades will be delivered under the Boom Gates for Rail Crossing Program across the state by QR Network Pty Ltd, on behalf of the Queensland Government.

“The Program recognises the need to address risks faced by road and rail users at railway crossings. Tragically there were 18 collisions, five fatalities and four serious injuries at level crossings in Queensland in 2008. Through this Program we are working to make level crossings safer for all rail users, drivers and pedestrians,” Queensland’s Minster for Transport, Rachel Nolan said.

“Investment from this Federal program will not only improve road safety but also support jobs and businesses during the global financial crisis,” Ms Nolan added.

The Queensland Government is also funding two other open level crossing safety programs, the Open Level Crossing Protection Strategy and the QR Level Crossing Task Force.

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