The final design has been released for the long-awaited upgrade of the Wynnum Road and Hemmant-Tingalpa Road intersection at Tingalpa, which will transition from its current unsignalised setup to one with full traffic light control. This upgrade aims to improve both safety and traffic flow at the busy junction.
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Background
The intersection, currently governed by a “give-way” sign on Hemmant-Tingalpa Road, prioritises traffic along Wynnum Road. Between 2016 and 2023, the intersection recorded 10 crashes, with nine resulting in medical treatment or hospitalisation.
High traffic volumes and long wait times at the intersection are believed to contribute to motorists misjudging safe gaps when turning into and out of Hemmant-Tingalpa Road.
Project Details
Set to begin construction in mid-2025, the upgrade includes several major changes:
- Traffic Signals: The installation of new traffic lights to fully control all movements at the intersection, enhancing safety for all road users.
- Dedicated Turn Pockets: Modifications to the centre traffic islands on Wynnum Road, with dedicated turning lanes on all approaches, helping to separate turning vehicles from through traffic.
- Signalised U-Turn Facilities: New U-turn provisions with signalisation for vehicles traveling in both directions along Wynnum Road.
- Pedestrian and Cyclist Improvements: New footpaths and kerb ramps, plus a new path along Hemmant-Tingalpa Road, to improve connectivity and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Safety Features: The upgrade will also include pedestrian crossings on two of the intersection’s three arms, enhancing accessibility.
This project is jointly funded by BCC and Australia’s Roads to Recovery Program.
Community Feedback
East Bug Inc, a local cycling and pedestrian advocacy group, was among those who provided feedback on the project. While they acknowledged some improvements, they raised concerns about specific design elements.
“We remain disappointed that the re-modelled intersection will only include pedestrian crossings on only two of the 3 arms of the intersection,” East Bug stated.
The group also expressed concerns regarding cycling provisions, noting that while bike exit ramps are included, there is no clear path for cyclists to safely rejoin the road. “Off-road shared paths and footpaths have limitations (lack of maintenance, poor lighting, drainage issues, over-hanging vegetation, dangerous cross-overs, etc), and sometimes re-joining the road is still the best option to get where you need to go.”
Despite these concerns, East Bug Inc recognised the efforts to address some of their issues, stating, “Wynnum Road features in the Principal Cycle Network Plan, and even with these improvements, we would never rate this as a high-standard route. However we do appreciate the efforts of Council’s design team to provide functional upgrades that we think will address some of the concerns we raised last year.”
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Looking Ahead
With construction set to begin in mid-2025, the upgrade aims to improve both safety and travel reliability for all road users. Further updates will be provided as work progresses, and the community is encouraged to stay informed and continue offering feedback on future transport projects.
Published 6-January-2025