Calls for permanent Safe Crossing as Jimboomba trial ends
The Jimboomba Safe Crossing Trial, a community project championed by Cr Scott Bannan, will close soon to allow construction to begin on the next stage of the widening of Mt Lindesay Highway.
Logan City Council’s Economic Development Chair, Deputy Mayor Jon Raven, said the Safe Crossing Trial, a priority project from the 2019 Jimboomba Summit, had helped re-connect the Jimboomba community.
“Keeping this community connected and safe is an important part of Council’s $2 million upgrade of the Jimboomba Town Centre,” Councillor Raven said.
“The local Councillor has gone above and beyond on this one to deliver an amazing temporary outcome, I just hope we can see a permanent solution as part of the highway upgrade.”
Cr Bannan said while it was disappointing that the trial had to end to allow the highway to be widened, high patronage of the temporary crossing over the last 12 months proved that a permanent safe crossing is needed.
“The local community really embraced the Safe Crossing Trial under Mount Lindesay Highway, which was made a priority project based on feedback from the Jimboomba Summit,” Cr Bannan said.
“There have been some days where more than 200 people have used the crossing and our statistics show the busiest times are weekday mornings and mid-afternoons, which is mostly schoolkids whose parents knew they could get across the highway safely.”
Cr Scott Bannan at the Safe Crossing with mural artists Paul Turnbull and Jay Christensen
The Safe Crossing underpass, which utilised the former Beaudesert railway line, became even more popular last July when the walls of the rail tunnel were painted with murals featuring Jimboomba’s iconic kangaroos.
“The Safe Crossing went from a hidden secret to a bit of a tourist attraction,” Cr Bannan said.
The Safe Crossing will close to the public from 5pm on Monday, February 28. Access walkways at both ends will be dismantled.
Those who need to cross Mount Lindesay Highway after that date are strongly encouraged to use the signalised crossing at South Street.
The Department of Transport and Mains Road has announced construction will start soon for the widening of the highway between Johanna and South streets.
For more information on the TMR project, telephone 1800 290 568, email mountlindesay@tmr.qld.gov.au or go to their website
