Safety is expected to improve at a key intersection in the rural area after Litchfield Council built a $2.25 million roundabout to help avoid accidents.

Local contractors H&K Earthmoving completed the roundabout at the intersection of Girraween Road and Anglesey Road in Girraween in mid-August, with a $200 000 saving for Council. The major road project was made possible after Council successfully lobbied for $850 000 in National Black Spot funding from the Australian Government.

Several accidents have occurred at the unsignalised Y-section intersection over the past 10 years, including two fatal accidents.

Council made the project a priority in 2015 and committed $1.4 million of funding from the Australian Government’s Roads to Recovery program to improve the intersection.

The new single-lane roundabout, which was officially opened today, has helped improve safety at the intersection of Girraween and Anglesey Road by:

  • providing easier access east of Girraween Road (Herbert) and a future Hicks Road link during peak traffic times

  • straightening up the access on Girraween Road to a more logical route

  • generally slowing down traffic in the area near Girraween Primary School. 

Overhead power lines along Girraween Road were relocated and street lighting was installed to improve vision at the intersection at night. The single-lane roundabout has been designed so it can be expanded to cater for future increases in traffic due to the growing number of people moving to Girraween, Humpty Doo and Herbert, and other future developments.

A new, shared path for bicycles and pedestrians was built as part of the project to enable people to safely cross the intersection at Girraween Road, Anglesey Road, and the future Hicks Road link. Council has also made an application to the Black Spot Committee to construct a 400-metre section of the adjoining Hicks Road to create a new entry to Girraween Primary School via the roundabout.

Federal Member for Solomon Natasha Griggs praised the cooperation between Litchfield Council and the Coalition Federal Government to deliver this result for Territorians.

“A roundabout is not the sort of thing that will grab headlines, but this is very necessary business of Government,” Mrs Griggs said. “Lives have been lost at this intersection, an investment in safety here will make driving safer for Territorians.

“As chair of the Black Spots Committee, I was very happy to endorse this life-saving project.”

Local students from the nearby Girraween Primary School have already been making use of the new bike paths and dedicated pedestrian crossings. Girraween Primary School Council Chair Tanya McKenna joined Council representatives at the official opening today and said the roundabout was a welcome addition near their school.

“On behalf of the Girraween Primary School Council, the families involved at Girraween Primary School and the wider community, I would like to thank the Litchfield Council for listening to our concerns about road safety in and around the entrance to the school and forging a plan to improve the traffic safety in the area,” Ms McKenna said.

“The level of consultation with the community about the Girraween and Anglesey Roundabout, especially to the school by Litchfield Council was comprehensive and very appreciated. We look forward to reaping the safety rewards from this new road infrastructure.”

Litchfield Council Official Manager Frank Crawley commended the Council on its dedication to improve safety at the intersection.

“The Council has used its foresight to design and build a roundabout that will cater for future population growth in the rural area,” Mr Crawley said. “The roundabout will help the flow of traffic, help reduce the risk of accidents and drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 60 kilometres per hour.”

Council has applied in the 2016–17 round of Black Spot funding to extend the Hicks Road link from the roundabout to create a new, direct access to Girraween Primary School and potentially close the existing entry at the Carruth Road and Girraween Road intersection.

Girraween Primary School students joined with Litchfield Council’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Ben Dornier to officially open the roundabout today.

Photo opportunity:

Time: 9:30 am

Date: Thursday 1 October

Location: Girraween and Anglesey Road Roundabout, Girraween

Opportunity: Girraween Primary School students and Litchfield Council will officially open the roundabout, along with contractor H&K Earthmoving.

Media contact: Acting Chief Executive Officer Ben Dornier on 8983 0600.