IF you have driven along Barnes Creek Road recently you may have noticed a bizarre contraption resembling an airplane – you are not the only one.

The wind turbine sits on top of a set of solar lights at the road works near the Forgan Bridge Replacement project, helping decipher changes in lighting.

According to a Main Roads spokesperson, yesterday the temporary solar street lighting was installed along Barnes Creek Road and at the Kooyong intersection as part of the Forgan Bridge Replacement and Duplication Project.

“These solar lights are being used on a temporary basis during construction works, due to a host of different lighting requirements when speed restrictions and changed traffic conditions are in place,” the spokesperson said.

“However, they do not meet height and illumination requirements for permanent use, as per Australian Standards for road lighting. Permanent street lighting will be installed in the centre medians in the later part of this year.”

The solar light at the Kooyong intersection is supplemented by a wind generator as a secondary energy source for charging the battery, the spokesperson said.

“This helps to ensure this intersection is lit at all times.”

The Forgan Bridge Replacement project is the largest bridge and road construction project in Mackay Australia.

Work commenced on the $148 million project in May 2008 and once completed, the new four-lane Forgan Bridge will reduce congestion on the busy commuter route while improving safety and network efficiency.

Traffic is expected to be traveling on the new bridge in April this year, weather permitting.

© Image by Shandong Jingchuang Solar Technology Co.,LTD.
Solar Street Lights similar to this one were installed temporary along Barnes Creek Road and at the Kooyong intersection as part of the Forgan Bridge Replacement and Duplication Project.

Article by Fallon Hudson.
From dailymercury.com.au.