MOTORISTS travelling along Finucane Rd between Capalaba and Cleveland will soon notice lower speed limits, with works to implement the changes starting in early September.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) confirmed the reductions follow a recent speed limit review that identified safety concerns along the busy route.
Under the changes, the 70km/h stretch between Elmhurst St and McDonald Rd will be reduced to 60km/h, the 80km/h section between McDonald Rd and Delancey St will also be lowered to 60km/h, and the 70km/h zone from Delancey St through to Waterloo St will be cut to 60km/h.
The Elmhurst St to McDonald Rd section includes the site of the Allenby Rd intersection, where Matthew Field, his partner Kate Leadbetter and their unborn son Miles were tragically killed on Australia Day 2021 when struck by a stolen vehicle driven by a teenager.
A memorial sign now stands at the intersection as a reminder to motorists to slow down, but residents say minor accidents occur there almost weekly and have long called for further safety measures, including a speed limit reduction and the installation of a speed camera.
Division 8 Councillor Tracey Huges said the change reflected the strong and consistent feedback from the community.
“Residents over many years have expressed concerns and shared emotional real time first-hand stories of vehicle incidents that they have witnessed, seemingly with a primary factor of speed, so I am extremely thankful to the TMR who have taken on this feedback, investigated and introduced reduced speed limits on Finucane Rd from Capalaba through to Cleveland,” Cr Huges said.
She said the human cost of crashes in the area should never be forgotten.
“We should never forget the shocking personal tragedy to families that have lost their beloved family members along this section of road, plus the significant impact to first responders,” she said.
“I urge motorists to embrace the reduced speed limit as combined we strive to save lives.”
A Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said the broader Speed Limit Review of Finucane Rd
was prompted by ongoing safety concerns raised by residents and elected representatives, along with multiple serious crashes along the corridor.
“In the five-year period from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2023, there were 94 crashes on Finucane Rd between Elmhurst St, Capalaba and Waterloo St, Cleveland,” the spokesperson said.
“The review process requires the registered professional engineer in arriving at a recommendation to ensure they are taking into account all relevant factors including issues raised by members of the public.
“Endorsement is then required from all members of the Speed Management Committee, which includes officers from TMR, Council and Queensland Police Service, prior to approval of the recommendation by the delegate prior to implementation.”
The new speed limit signs will be accompanied by ‘NEW LIMIT’ signage to alert drivers to the changes.
Additional advisory signs will be in place to highlight the updated speed limits.
