Latest accident again highlights why Warrell Creek to Urunga upgrade must be the priority

December 23, 2011

The overnight accident near Warrell Creek again highlights why the Warrell Creek to Urunga upgrade must be the next Pacific Highway project to receive funding, Federal MP Luke Hartsuyker said today.

“This section of road is the number one black spot on the Pacific Highway and for that reason it must the priority in future negotiations between the Federal and State Governments,” Mr Hartsuyker.  “There have been more than 20 fatalities on that section of road in the past five years but there have also been countless other accidents.  In recent weeks we have seen a semi trailer crash into the river near the Macksville bridge and now we have seen a number people seriously injured in an accident involving a car and B Double truck.

“According to a survey completed by the NRMA earlier this year the section of highway between Warrell Creek and Urunga was identified as the worst in the State.  There are lessons to be learnt from the completion of the Bonville Deviation.  Numerous lives were lost prior to the completion of the Bonville project, but since its completion there has hardly been an accident on that section of road.  It is clear that since the completion of the Bonville Deviation the new fatigue zone and accident blackspot is between Urunga and Warrell Creek.”

Mr Hartsuyker said he had written to both the Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese and the Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner regarding the importance of this highway upgrade.  “Road safety must the first consideration when prioritising which projects will receive funding.  If both levels of government believe road safety is the most important consideration, then it is incumbent on our political leaders to acknowledge the crash statistics, listen to the people and invest in those areas where duplication would have the greatest impact.”