Roundabout clears Durlacher-Maitland road safety black spot

A once-dangerous intersection has been officially reopened to the public, with nearly $2 million of works adding a roundabout to the busy area.

Works on the black spot on the corner of Durlacher and Maitland Streets were completed earlier this month to make the intersection safer and easier to navigate for the cyclists, pedestrians and nearly 9000 vehicles which travel through daily.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn yesterday joined Agricultural Region members Martin Aldridge and Laurie Graham, the latter representing Transport Minister Rita Saffioti, Member for Geraldton Ian Blayney and WA Local Government Association deputy president Karen Chappel, to open the roundabout officially.

Mr Van Styn said for more than 15 years the intersection had caused congestion and been the scene of “countless near misses” and many accidents.

“Thanks to the generous black spot funding contribution of $792,882 from the WA State Government ... to build the roundabout, this council was able to put to bed yet another CBD legacy project,” he said. “I’d also like to thank all the local businesses, organisations, QEII Centre users and the parents and students of St Francis Xavier School for their patience while we were building the intersection. 

“The construction was without a doubt disruptive, but the result has been well worth it.”

The $1.83 million project, built by local contractor Red Dust Holdings, was finished a couple of weeks ahead of schedule and on budget.