A MAJOR upgrade of rural road signage will be undertaken by Charters Towers Regional Council over the next three years.
Councillor Roma Bailey, whose portfolio responsibilities include roads, has applauded council’s decision to undertake the upgrade.
“Since the inception of the scheduled rural maintenance program, it has become apparent that there is a serious deficiency in current signage,” Cr Bailey said.
“We will use part of the rural road maintenance budget for this signage upgrade over the next three years,” he said.
Cr Bailey said there are 3,235 kilometres of gravelled and sealed rural roads in the council region.
“Currently 1,150 kilometres of roads have had warning and hazard signage installed and this has cost $256,512. This has included guide posts.
“Council has budgeted for $155,019 for each of the next three years to complete this project.”
There are currently missing warning and hazard signs in the region such as curve, junction, bends, dips and floodway signs.
Cr Bailey said the installation of warning and hazard signage forms part of road construction and maintenance and therefore is closely linked to maintaining and improving .ouncil’s major infrastructure.
“If this work was not undertaken, there is a potential safety issue for the travelling public.
“Council believes to best way to bring all signage up-to-date is to undertake this three year upgrade program. This will allow for the missing warning and hazard signage to be installed in a planned manner.”