New figures show the dangers of level crossings as the government prepares to remove five across Logan.
Between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2023, there were 1507 near hits, 64 collisions, 12 fatalities and six serious injuries at level crossings across the state.
The government has announced a new safety program that includes the already planned removal of level crossings at Kuraby, Woodridge, Bethania, Holmview and Beenleigh.
The two level crossings at Beenleigh Road, Kuraby and Station Road, Bethania will be replaced with new road-over-rail bridges.
The government hopes this will improve safety and journey times for road and rail users.
Construction is expected to start in 2025.
In the meantime, the government is implementing an “action plan”.
The plan will include trialling safety camera technology at level crossings to detect dangerous behaviour – such as people driving through flashing red lights, boom gates or speeding.
The Rail, Tram, and Bus Union Queensland branch secretary Peter Allen said “everyone has a level crossing story”.
“Sadly some are tragedies,” he said.
“Those tragedies always affect the victims, rail workers, everyone’s families and whole communities.
“We welcome the Queensland Government’s level crossing strategy to start the work of removing or upgrading dangerous level crossings. We know it will save lives.”
