Media Release

RACQ received almost 2,000 nominations for locations where Queensland drivers experienced frustrating gridlock as part of the Club’s annual Red Spot Congestion survey.

RACQ Head of Public Policy Rebecca Michael said Maryborough Hervey Bay Road, McLiver Street in Hervey Bay and Branyan Street in Bundaberg were the most troublesome locations identified by locals in the Wide Bay-Burnett region, as well as the Bruce Highway through Tiaro.

“We put the call out to drivers, who are in the best position to identify problem spots, to help us locate the roads which were constantly causing them headaches behind the wheel,” Dr Michael said.

“Many locals complained heavy congestion on Maryborough Hervey Bay Road caused the intersection with Pialba Burrum Heads Road to be very dangerous for turning vehicles.

“Since last year’s Red Spot survey the State Government has allocated $2 million for pre-construction works to upgrade the intersection, but we’d like to see full funding included in next year’s budget and construction accelerated.

“Drivers also said there were long delays on the Bruce Highway through Tiaro, McLiver Street at Hervey Bay was often choked with traffic accessing the shopping centre and Branyan Street in Bundaberg experienced extreme congestion during school drop off and pick-up times.”

Dr Michael said the survey results would be made available to all levels of government and would be used by the Club to lobby for future funding and improvements.

“It’s clear congestion is an issue that really grinds our gears and costs us time and lost productivity, especially now that we’re returning to more frequent travel following last year’s COVID-19 lockdown,” she said.

“We’ll use this information to guide our policy and to lobby all tiers of government for solutions to bottlenecked areas.”