Local residents that use Eatons Crossing Road to travel inbound and outbound of Samford have been left frustrated and annoyed that money is being spent installing guardrails, instead of overtaking lanes.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads started work in May on a $1.05 million Safer Roads Sooner Project to upgrade and install guardrails along stretches of the road.

The project will also include widening of the road and removing trees to improve visibility for motorists.

With just over $1 million dollars invested into making the road safer, no money was set aside for including an overtaking lane along the road that runs from Eatons Hill to Draper, near Samford.

Back in 2005, local residents drew attention in The Westerner for the need for passing lanes along the stretch of road.

Irene Coventry of Warner uses the road daily to travel to Samford Village for work, and said the road is in desperate need of overtaking lanes.

“It is very frustrating that they are spending money on putting guardrails in along this area, instead of using the money to go towards putting in an overtaking lane,” Mrs Coventry said.

“I use the road very often and I get stuck behind trucks and large vehicles all the time that are only able to do 60km per hour instead of the signed 80km.

“It’s just very annoying when there was a lot of talk about it many years ago and it has gone nowhere.

“In my view an overtaking lane would avoid the need for guardrails in that stretch of road, because people would not risk overtaking in a potentially dangerous area.”

Another local resident, Sam Mortimer, said he also found the road frustrating with no designated area to overtake safely.

“It’s just dangerous without an overtaking lane, and it slows everything down if you get stuck behind a large vehicle,” Mr Mortimer said.

While Moreton Bay Regional Council said it was for Main Roads to decide where the money would be spent, Councillor Bob Millar (Division 11) said he did not find the road in need of a passing lane at the moment.

“I use the road daily myself, and at this point in time, I have never found it to be a problem not having a passing lane along Eatons Crossing,” Cr Millar said.

“The works going on along Eatons Crossing I have raised my own concerns about, especially the traffic concerns from these instalments of upgrades.”

The upgrades along Eatons Crossing Road are expected to be completed by early August.