Gladstone-Benaraby Road traffic changes near Kirkwood Road intersection
Motorists using Gladstone-Benaraby Road temporarily used a newly formed section of road near the Kirkwood Road intersection from mid-February. As works in the area progressed, the traffic change was accompanied by single lane operations, further speed reductions and traffic delays. Works included drainage, underground conduits and light foundations and pavement works followed by a bitumen seal of the area on February 17 in readiness for it to sustain traffic flow on February 20. In preparation for continuing works, traffic conditions near the intersection altered with northbound and southbound traffic directed to the newly formed road on the western side. At the time of construction no traffic acces was permitted in or out of Kirkwood Road. Read more
Kirkwood Road access to Gladstone-Benaraby Road temporarily closed, July 2011
Kirkwood Road access to Gladstone-Benaraby Road was temporarily closed to all traffic as of July 31, 2011. The decision to effect a full road closure was made due to safety concerns as works progress at the intersection of Kirkwood and Gladstone-Benaraby Road. This decision was reviewed as construction progressed. See Kirkwood-Gladstone-Benaraby Intersection diagram and Kirkwood-Glenlyon intersection diagram.
Works duration - Council constructed the intersection on behalf of the Department of Transport and Main Roads with the Gladstone-Benaraby Road/Kirkwood Road access open to passenger vehicles on April 20, 2012.
What was involved? - Pre-load work at the site involved placing earthworks on the adjacent mudflats. This process squeezed out the unstable water and mud on the site with the earthworks then providing a solid foundation to support the construction of a northbound left-hand turning lane into Kirkwood Road. The pre-load, together with the extension of drainage structures, took two to three months to complete with about a further three to four months required for the earthworks to settle. Earthworks were monitored throughout the settling process and when movement within the preload reached predetermined levels the final phase of the project started.
The final phase - This was expected to take a further two to three months to complete and consist ed of pavement and asphalt, construction of the turning lane and the installation of traffic lights, drainage structures and medians.
Reduced speed zones - These were in place in proximity to the work area on Gladstone-Benaraby Road. Reduced speed zones were in place in the vicinity of the intersection with Kirkwood Road and were strictly enforced day and night. Motorists were urged to be aware of constantly changing traffic conditions as the project progressed and of the greater presence of workers and heavy machinery throughout the work site. Delays were expected. Speed limits of 40kph were signed where works were in close proximity to workers and traffic controllers will be utilised.
Overtaking lanes - The northbound and southbound overtaking lanes on Gladstone-Benaraby Road were closed indefinitely.
Major road network milestone
A significant milestone was 
achieved for Gladstone’s major road network with the upgrading of a significant section of Glenlyon Road. Works on the Glenlyon approaches to the Kirkwood Road intersection completed significant safety and capacity improvements cater for increasing traffic on two major city routes, Glenlyon/Hanson Road and Kirkwood Road. Works in the area of the Kirkwood and Glenlyon Road intersection included kerb, footpaths, asphalt, sealing, installing of guardrails, erection of traffic lights and light poles.
