Gateway Upgrade Project finishes this weekend

[Trent Thomson]

All 6 northbound lanes of the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridge will open
progressively this weekend, marking the completion of the Gateway
Upgrade Project. Its delivery is 7 months ahead of schedule.

Attention now turns to the Gateway Upgrade South (GUS) Project, which
is well advanced. A traffic switch is coming up soon that will shift
traffic onto the new alignment near Miles Platting Rd.

Fortnightly construction update:
http://gatewayupgradeproject.com.au/data/portal/00000005/content/98678001290732846431.pdf

[Darren Hodges]

The former vintage 3-aspect traffic signals used for pedestrians at Newport
have been mentioned in this forum in the past. And I have finally seen a
photo of one of the sets.

The attached photos (?) are a scan from a book by Train Hobby publications
about the Victorian Railways E class electric engines that has been recently
released.

The crossing shown here is one that I don't recall taking any notice of,
despite the fact I drove along this road (Hall St, Newport) semi-regularly
in 1986. They possibly had normal ped signals by then. Unfortunately I
wasn't into taking photos of old signs and signals back then. However, I do
remember their twins on Melbourne Rd, just north of the Mason St
intersection in the early to mid 1970s. I only recall seeing them red to
Melbourne Rd traffic once and my dad stopped and then asked "why are we
stopped here?" as there was no intersection, despite the traffic lights
looking like they were set up for one.

Many of the Train Hobby books have photos showing old road infrastructure as
background to the trains or trams.

Darren.

[Paul Rands]

Nice find. I think WA is the only place that still has 3 aspect ped signals these days

--
Paul Rands
paul...@gmail.com

Sent from my iPhone

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[Lachlan Sims]

I hazily and vaguely recall possibly seeing them somewhere in Sydney as a young takker - this would have been in the late 1970s ... maybe Bondi Junction area?

Paul - you're right, I remember from my time living there (1995-1997), they were (and still are?) quite widespread on older installations.

Example here (cnr Scarborough Beach Rd & Hutton St, Osborne Park) - there's a call button on the pole, and notice the complete lack of pavement marking for the crossing

http://tiny.cc/wedvz


Lach

[Sam Laybutt]

They are everywhere here but slowly being replaced as signals get renewed etc - all new installations have proper ped signals and crossing markings. 

---

Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2010 21:23:57 +1100
Subject: Re: [Aussie Highways]Old Newport pedestrian traffic light pic.
From: lachl...@gmail.com
To: aussie-...@googlegroups.com

[Winston]

A bit off-topic, but they were in the process of replacing similar
signals when I was visiting Seattle. I've attached a picture. The amber
lights facing the camera are for pedestrians only and there's no street
behind the view. The new pedestrian signals are covered with a plastic
bag. Another thing I found confusing at first in the US was that some
pedestrian crossings at traffic lights are marked the same way as normal
zebra crossings, but you don't need to give way to pedestrains on your
green light.

[Dr B.J. Winzer]

Took a look on Google Maps and all that's left of that crossing are some
remnants of painted lines... no lights at all...

On 27/11/2010 15:29, Darren Hodges wrote:

[Paul Rands]

There was a brand new install just before I left WA with 3 aspect ped signals but I can't remember the spot. Am thinking it was in mandurah somewhere 

--

Paul Rands

paul0075r@gmail.com

Sent from my iPhone

[Darren Hodges]

Yes, I'd looked at it a few months ago.

I neglected to mention that the other unusual thing about these lights
(other than being the only two such examples I'm aware of ever having
existed in Victoria) was that apparently they originally had 'command'
lenses with the words STOP - CAUTION - GO. Generally only the red lens had
the word STOP in Australia in those days. Unfortunately the photo does not
show whether this was the case.

Darren.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dr B.J. Winzer" <sarcop...@iprimus.com.au>
To: <aussie-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2010 10:29 PM
Subject: Re: [Aussie Highways]Old Newport pedestrian traffic light pic.

[davis]

not post-1979 anyway. I can recall some round lens with round shade,
two aspect pedestrian signals around in Sydney, but not three aspect
ones.



On Nov 27, 9:23 pm, Lachlan Sims <lachlans...@gmail.com> wrote:
> maybe Bondi
> Junction area?
>

[Paul Rands]

Outside my primary school in St Marys, there was a set of text pedestrian signals with round lenses but square visors. They were also larger than the 1980s pictogram ones that replaced them, so I assume they were 12 inch lanterns. I do remember them being branded AWA. This was when Great Western hwy (SR44) was two lanes each way.

--
Paul Rands
paul...@gmail.com

[Trent Thomson]

Went for a drive yesterday to the Sunshine Coast, they had six lanes
open on the northern half of the bridge. The new lane arrangements
are: left 2 lanes must exit for Southern Cross Dr, lanes 3,4,5,6 for
Kingsford Smith Drive and through traffic. This caught a lot of people
off-guard (myself included). The VMSs were boasting the early opening
date and NOT the changed road layout.

This morning I had to smile when I heard on the radio that traffic was
back to Beenleigh due to a rollover on the Gateway. Great first day.

They are still doing landscaping works, particularly around the old
toll plaza area where the massive 'terrain wave' is going in.

Still can't believe we used to drive on this piece of crap... the new
road is five lanes each way here :)
http://bit.ly/gJ0tZO

> Fortnightly construction update:http://gatewayupgradeproject.com.au/data/portal/00000005/content/9867...

[Paul Rands]

We have driven it, and for a long time :D See how long it goes before the traffic fill the new lanes!

--
Paul Rands
paul...@gmail.com

[Sam Laybutt]

Hi Trent
 
Did you make it to Noosa?
 
I am interested to see whether my complaints to Sunshine Coast Regional Council about the dodgy signposting along SR6 in the Eenie Creek Rd/Beckmans Road area have been addressed or not. If anyone (Rob?) gets up that way please report back :)
 
Sam
 
> Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2010 06:17:27 -0800
> Subject: [Aussie Highways] Re: Gateway Upgrade Project finishes this weekend
> From: trent....@gmail.com
> To: aussie-...@googlegroups.com

[Rob Tilley]

I dont think Big Bob would waste money on new signs telling people to go to places other than his beloved Noosa lol, if the weather is nice on the weekend i might take a trundle up there.

Rob

-- 

[Trent Thomson]

I did make it to Noosa. If my memory serves me right (was too busy
trying not to spew at the "All Other Destinations" signs), the
situation is still bleak.

Heading westbound from David Low Way, SR6 is signed along Eenie Ck Rd
and Walter Hay Dr to Emu Mountain Rd. Then Emu Mountain Rd -- between
Walter Hay Dr and Eumundi-Noosa Rd -- is signed SR12.

If you ask me:
SR6 should go along Beckmans Rd to Cooroy-Noosa Rd.
SR12 should end at Beckmans Rd/Eenie Ck Rd roundabout.
SR70 should be extended up Walter Hay Dr to meet SR6.

Other observations:
- I nearly wiped out a small hatchback who was trying to join the
Bruce Hwy at Bells Creek Road. The traffic was very thick but still
moving at 110+. The driver got sick of waiting and took a chance.
Interchanges, or service roads to the nearest interchange, need to be
constructed. At-grade intersections don't cut it on this road, not
with the volume it carries.
- I still haven't seen anybody keep 2 chevrons apart on the Bruce Hwy
south of Caloundra Rd. I tried, but other motorists saw it as an
opportunity to cut in front of me.
- The average speed camera on the Bruce Hwy has changed driver
behaviour noticeably.
- The new Kawana Link Road is a brilliant alternative to the Nicklin
Way. It has been built to super-2 standards (with 100 km/h speed
limit), as it will eventually form part of the new southern motorway
between Mooloolaba and Caloundra.
- As for exit numbering on the Bruce, north of SR70 only the gore
direction signs have been replaced. Most other AD and ID signs are
missing exit numbers. I can't wait to see how QMR patches the
remaining signs.
- Lots of roadworks on the Bruce to smooth out bumps around
Maroochydore Rd. Unfortunately it is still shithouse. They needed to
rip the road up and rebuild it, not put a layer of asphalt over the
top.

Regards
Trent

On Dec 1, 12:57 pm, Sam Laybutt <crazyknights...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Trent
>
> Did you make it to Noosa?
>
> I am interested to see whether my complaints to Sunshine Coast Regional Council about the dodgy signposting along SR6 in the Eenie Creek Rd/Beckmans Road area have been addressed or not. If anyone (Rob?) gets up that way please report back :)
>
> Sam
>
>
>
> > Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2010 06:17:27 -0800
> > Subject: [Aussie Highways] Re: Gateway Upgrade Project finishes this weekend

> > From: trent.thom...@gmail.com

> > To: aussie-...@googlegroups.com
>
> > Went for a drive yesterday to the Sunshine Coast, they had six lanes
> > open on the northern half of the bridge. The new lane arrangements
> > are: left 2 lanes must exit for Southern Cross Dr, lanes 3,4,5,6 for
> > Kingsford Smith Drive and through traffic. This caught a lot of people
> > off-guard (myself included). The VMSs were boasting the early opening
> > date and NOT the changed road layout.
>
> > This morning I had to smile when I heard on the radio that traffic was
> > back to Beenleigh due to a rollover on the Gateway. Great first day.
>
> > They are still doing landscaping works, particularly around the old
> > toll plaza area where the massive 'terrain wave' is going in.
>
> > Still can't believe we used to drive on this piece of crap... the new
> > road is five lanes each way here :)

> >http://bit.ly/gJ0tZO- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Rob Tilley]

>
> - The average speed camera on the Bruce Hwy has changed driver
> behaviour noticeably.

Which doesnt work properly lol

>
> - Lots of roadworks on the Bruce to smooth out bumps around
> Maroochydore Rd. Unfortunately it is still shithouse. They needed to
> rip the road up and rebuild it, not put a layer of asphalt over the
> top.
>

They still havent added the final layer yet, its been under roadworks for months with minimal works done.

> Regards
> Trent

[Sam Laybutt]

Hi Trent,


Sounds like nothing has changed since this time last year.



The situation you described is what is meant to happen and what was communicated to me by Council as the intention, I guess they haven't done anything about it yet. This is despite me pointing out specific signs which should be changed >_<


Beckmans Road is about to be duplicated so perhaps they are waiting for this to occur? Btw, no signs eastbound on Cooroy-Noosa Road telling you that SR6 turns right onto Beckmans Road >_<

> Date: Thu, 2 Dec 2010 00:55:36 -0800
> Subject: [Aussie Highways] Re: Sunshine Coast
> From: trent....@gmail.com
> To: aussie-...@googlegroups.com