Famed motorcycle nirvana Mt Nebo Rd has been upgraded at massive cost to the taxpayer to make it safer only to fail and collapse in the first heavy downpour.
What’s worse is that the speed will be permanently reduced to 40km/h even after the road has been improved!
Roadworks on Mt Nebo Rd between the Goat Track and Manwaring Rd cost $3.2m with $1.9m from the Federal Government and Moreton Bay Regional Council paying the rest.
It reopened last month, but the road subsided after recent heavy rains and it is now back to single lane until the end of November for remedial work.
Road fail
Cracks show the subsidenceCouncillor for Division 11 Darren Grimwade confirmed that “a section of the recently reconstructed pavement has failed following recent inclement weather”.
“The road will be closed to one lane until the end of November so the contractor can complete the rectification works,” he says.
“The speed limit will remain at 40km/h while remedial works are undertaken; visitors and locals can still explore Mount Nebo Road – the gateway to the region’s hinterland areas offering a range of activities from great day-trip experiences to walking trails, bed and breakfasts, and incredible views just waiting to be discovered.”
He made no mention of motorcycle riders!
Speed fail
40km/h limit to remain?Meanwhile, Motorcycle Advocacy Group (MAG) member Stuart Langfield says the speed limit was reduced because the council believed it would reduce the noise of the vehicles to the residents.
“At the AGM of the local residents last year I informed them it would not reduce the noise level but extend its duration by another 50%,” he says.
“Feedback from the residents is that I was correct.”
Motorcycles would also be louder as they would have to engage a lower gear for the duration of the section.
Stuart says the 40km/h limit will remain after the roadworks are completed and MAG is likewise similarly skeptical over upcoming Main Roads upgrades.
Cr Grimwade says that although the current speed limit of Mt Nebo Road was 60km/h, there were a number of curved sections of the road which currently had recommended (but not enforced) speed limits of less than 60km/h.
“The section of Mt Nebo Road which is currently being remediated has a temporary speed limit of 40km/h as a result of the restriction to one lane under traffic control,” he says.
“During the development of the road reconstruction design two years ago, the Mt Nebo Residents Association requested a permanent reduction to 40 km/h along these curved sections of the road.
“A recent speed review was carried out by Council along the whole length of Mt Nebo Road which confirmed a permanent reduction to 40km/h along these sections was appropriate and will be implemented to improve the safety of motorists at the completion of remediation works.”
This is similar to many other popular motorcycle routes that have been upgraded only to have their speed limit dropped.
The list includes, but is not limited to the Great Ocean Rd, Putty Rd, Bells Line Of Road and the Great Northern Rd.