In that time, Mrs Williams and the Bonny Hills Progress Association (BHPA), have continued lobbying for an overpass – without success.

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“Sadly there has been no commitment of funding to improvements to the Houston Mitchell Drive-Pacific Highway intersection by the Minns Labor Government,” Mrs Williams told News Of The Area this week.

“The Liberal and Nationals Government completed almost $3m of works to make significant improvements to extend acceleration and deceleration lanes as well as electronic warning signs at the intersection, but it is critical that funds now be allocated to commence planning for a grade separated overpass.”

Members of the BHPA say the petition clearly showed that members of the community want action on the design of an overpass.

“While there is not even a design in place there is no hope of attracting any possible funding that may become
available,” they told NOTA.

“How long do we have to wait for action on this lethal intersection?”

At the end of August, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) allocated $482,790 to plan for safety improvements at the intersection under Round 2 of the Safer Roads Towards Zero program.

It is proposing the funds be used for short-term solutions such as U-turn bays as well as the “strategic design” of long-term solutions.

BHPA Committee Chair Kathy Regan said that even if a “solution” is found, further funding would have to be secured to deliver it.

Ms Regan and other committee members recently met TfNSW on-site to see how U-turn bays would work in traffic management.

“We have not been convinced that they would result in significant safety improvements here,” she said, “so we asked for research evidence that such placements are effective.”

If the safety evidence does stack up, BHPA believes that U-turns should be given full consideration.

“But to date, there has been no evidence.

“Given the volume of northbound traffic out of Houston Mitchell Drive there would need to be significant length to a deceleration lane to avoid a bank-up of traffic and a sizable U-turn area to accommodate traffic waiting to re-entrer the highway.

“Added to this is the continuing matter of turning across two lanes of fast-moving traffic even if a U-turn bay is created.”

TfNSW is yet to publicly identify possible locations for the U-turn bays.

“Even if U-turn bays are proven and built, they can only be a temporary salve to a lethal problem that is growing rapidly,” Ms Regan said.

“For this reason, BHPA will continue to press for the urgent start to planning for the overpass that the community requested in the petition to Parliament.

“The 16,000 signatories will be happy with no less.”

The Minister for Regional Roads Jenny Aitchison was in the Hastings area last week for the opening of the King Creek Bridge.

It is understood she discussed Houston Mitchell Drive with Mayor Adam Roberts and other councillors.

They were asked to provide a comment for this story but did not respond.

By Sue STEPHENSON