Six level crossings in urgent need of upgrade

Anna Caldwell, James O’Loan and Peter Michael

January 02, 2009 11:00pm

Train drivers approach at least six intersections between Cairns and Mackay with dread because of a dangerous lack of visibility.

The Courier-Mail can reveal that six of the eight level crossings on that stretch of track have been identified by a Queensland Rail taskforce as requiring urgent upgrades.

The site of Thursday’s fatality where a garbage truck driver was killed at Mundoo, south of Innisfail is one, as is the site of November’s double train driver fatality at the Conn crossing near Cardwell.

The others are at Saunders Beach, near Townsville; Balgal Beach, near Bluewater; Rungoo Crossing, near Cardwell; and Bootooloo, at Bowen.

Les Moffitt, a representative of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union said the six intersections hadn’t been prioritised..

“This list isn’t exhaustive and some of these may not even make the final cut – these are the crossings we have identified so far,” Mr Moffitt said.

“It is tragic we’ve had the three (recent) fatalities, but the number of near misses that have never been publicised would stun most people.”

One QR driver who has driven the Townsville-Cairns route for 10 years said he felt dread every time he approached the death trap crossings.

“You are always triple aware when you approach those intersections,” the man, who can’t be identified, said.

The $10 million for upgrades comes from QR’s existing budget and will not be allocated until the taskforce reports in the next few weeks.

Transport Minister John Mickel said he would not pre-empt where or how the money should be spent and would wait to hear what the taskforce had recommended.