Traversing a major Townsville transit corridor spanning three suburbs will soon be safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, with Townsville City Council commencing a $3.8 million upgrade of Hugh and Gulliver streets.
This significant infrastructure investment highlights the Council’s ongoing commitment to improving active transport options across the city, delivering around 2.5 kilometres of 2.5 metre-wide shared path along the converged streets, which connect Woolcock Street and Ross River Road.
The works will also include 1.5 metre footpath sections, on road bike lane line marking, raised crossings at minor intersections, and a signalised SMART pedestrian crossing near Wellington Street.
Additionally, the Council will upgrade sections of driveways and crossovers with associated kerb and channel, construct concrete medians, and add new cycle and pedestrian ramps. It is anticipated that eight trees may need to be removed, as shown on the project map.
Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto said the Gulliver and Hugh Streets Active Transport Facilities Upgrade Project had been identified as a priority due to the area’s high traffic volume, with around 16,000 vehicles travelling the roadway each day.
“This busy stretch of road also experiences high pedestrian and cyclist numbers, which peak during morning and afternoon traffic as students from Pimlico State High School and TAFE Townsville campus travel to and from classes,” Councillor Dametto said.
“The corridor has a combination of high-density residential properties and commercial mises that increase traffic demand in the area.
“Currently, cyclists mix with motorists on-road as there are only partially constructed footpaths and no dedicated cycle facility – this project will address this congestion and improve overall safety.”
Division eight councillor Andrew Robinson said the project would improve safety and accessibility in a central, and bustling, part of Townsville.
“The planned upgrades will improve the safety of pedestrians and bike riders along the Hugh and Gulliver streets corridor from Ross River Road to Woolcock Street,” Cr Robinson said.
“In particular, the footpath will allow full access up and down the road and will close the existing gaps in the path.
“This will allow for the safer travel of pedestrians, especially school aged children and people who require the use of mobility scooters.”
