Redland City Council is putting the finishing touches on a $300,000 project to improve safety on Allenby Road in Alexandra Hills.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the project was an important safety improvement for motorists, with 19 accidents along the road over the past 10 years.

“Council figures show approximately 6000 vehicles use the road each day and there has been a high number of vehicle accidents including a number of hospitalisations and property damage; so Council felt it was important to upgrade the road to improve safety,” Cr Williams said.

“In addition to allocating funding as part of the 2012-13 budget, Council also successfully applied for $160,000 in Commonwealth funding through the Black Spot Road Funding due to the high number of accidents on the road.

“The project included the application of high friction road surfacing, warning signs and traffic calming devices.”

Deputy Mayor and Division 8 Councillor Cr Alan Beard said the project included the application of a special skid resistant asphalt surface, which is being applied this week (from Wednesday May 8 – Friday May 10, weather permitting).

“Many of the accidents were caused by water on the road making the S bends slippery, so Council has applied a skid resistant surface to combat this issue, making the road safer for motorists,” Cr Beard said.

“This project is fantastic news and will greatly improve the safety of this busy road.

“The project also includes reducing the speed limit to 50km/h, upgrading street lighting and installing speed platforms and signage.”

Deputy Mayor and Division 8 Councillor Cr Alan Beard with Allan and Eileen Sutton at the Allenby Road upgrade.

Allan and Eileen Sutton have lived in the area for 30 years. Having witnessed hundreds of accidents, including a driver recently losing control and crashing through their fence and into their pool, they are very relieved the project has been completed.

“It’s fantastic, we can go to bed without having to worry about people crashing through our front fence,” Allan said.

“We have seen hundreds of accidents along the road, particularly inexperienced drivers who take the corner too fast and lose control, especially in the wet.  So this project is very welcome and will make the area a lot safer for drivers and residents.”

Council won Federal Black Spot funding for the works last year, along with three other projects.

These projects include traffic signal upgrades at the Wellington and Weippin Street intersection, Cleveland and Ney Road and Callaghan Way intersection, Capalaba which will commence shortly.

Construction on a $450,000 roundabout for the Bay and Smith Street intersection in Cleveland is expected to commence next financial year.