TWO state highways in the Somerset region are in the top 10 of the RACQ’s unroadworthy roads following a survey from the peak motoring group.

The Brisbane Valley Highway was rated as the fourth worst highway in Queensland, up five places from last year, and the D’Aguilar Highway came in at eighth place, also moving up the ranks in the 2024 Unroadworthy Roads Survey released on 25 September.

Roads were rated on various criteria and respondents claimed both roads were narrow and rough with limited overtaking lanes and could not handle the high volume of traffic including heavy vehicles and caravanners.

Somerset Regional Council Mayor Jason Wendt said the report confirmed what council, and the community, already knows.

“Two of our major transport corridors in the Somerset region are unfit and unsuitable for purpose,” Cr Wendt said.

“In fact, they are a death trap and it’s not acceptable.

“Since 2014 we have lost over 30 people to fatal road crashes on these two highways alone and more than 350 people have been hospitalised or injured on the same highways.

“The daily usage of these two highways combined is more than our population with about 27,000 vehicle movements daily.

“The reality is they are simply not sufficient to keep motorists safe and get people and freight where they need to go efficiently.

“We have been accepting for far too long, hoping the State Government would finally invest and deliver both short-term and long-term solutions. Meanwhile, our highways have dangerously deteriorated, and enough is enough.”

Cr Wendt said council had listed investment in the Brisbane Valley Highway as its number one advocacy item in the lead up to the State Government election next month.

“We are seeking $84 million over the next four years to enhance road safety, improve the surface and pavement, and improve the freight and transport links across Somerset, South Burnett, Darling Downs and the Warrego Highway.”