Traffic lights are coming to the Hamilton Road and Spence Road intersection in Wavell Heights, with plans lodged to overhaul one of the suburb’s busiest and most hazardous daily crossing points.
The Hamilton Road and Spence Road intersection carries heavy traffic throughout the day, with long wait times and limited visibility making it difficult for drivers to safely enter and exit Spence Road. The planned upgrade will install traffic signals at the intersection, along with a series of improvements designed to make the crossing safer and more reliable for drivers, pedestrians and bus passengers alike.
The project is currently in progress, with the construction timeline still being finalised pending funding confirmation.
What the Upgrade Involves
The centrepiece of the works is a full set of traffic signals at the intersection, including signalised pedestrian crossings. The right-turn lane on Hamilton Road into Spence Road will be extended, and both corners of Spence Road at Hamilton Road will be widened to formalise two westbound traffic lanes on approach to and through the intersection.
Bus stops will shift as part of the works. The westbound stop on Hamilton Road (stop 43) moves 30 metres west, and the northbound stop on Spence Road (stop 42) moves 30 metres south. Footpaths will be upgraded, new kerb ramps installed, and stormwater infrastructure on both roads within the project area will be renewed. New road pavement, signage, line marking and landscaping complete the scope.
One change will be permanent from the outset: access from Frankit Street onto Hamilton Road will become left-in, left-out only. A new pedestrian refuge on Frankit Street at Hamilton Road will also be installed. Residents who currently turn right out of Frankit Street will need to adjust their routes once construction begins, and the project team is available to discuss alternative travel options.
A Corridor with a History of Safety Concerns
Hamilton Road has been a focus of road safety investment for several years. The intersection with Bilsen Road was upgraded under the Black Spot Program after recording nine crashes between 2015 and 2021, all of which required medical treatment or hospitalisation. That project delivered dedicated right-turn pockets, updated signal phasing and relocated bus stops, and is now complete.
The Spence Road intersection presents a similar set of challenges. High traffic volumes, extended wait times and limited sightlines have made it difficult for drivers to safely navigate the crossing, mirroring the conditions that prompted action at Bilsen Road.
A Safer Street for the People Who Use It Every Day
For residents living near the intersection, this upgrade addresses a problem that has been part of their daily routine for years. Hamilton Road serves as one of the key east-west connectors through Wavell Heights’ inner north, and the Spence Road junction has long added unnecessary time and uncertainty to morning and afternoon trips.
The inclusion of signalised pedestrian crossings is a meaningful addition for those who travel the area on foot, where crossing Hamilton Road currently requires careful judgement and a degree of patience.
Broader traffic studies have pointed to ongoing pressure across Wavell Heights roads, with congestion on surrounding arterials including Sandgate Road and Gympie Road continuing to push traffic onto local streets. Intersection-level upgrades like this one address safety at specific points, and combined with previous works along the corridor, represent a sustained effort to improve conditions for the community.
How to Stay Across the Project
The construction program is still being finalised, and more detail on timing will be shared once that process is complete. Residents can register for project update emails through this link.
For questions, including advice on alternative routes around the Frankit Street access change, contact the project team on 07 3178 5413 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm), or email cityprojects@brisbane.qld.gov.au with the subject line “Hamilton Road and Spence Road intersection upgrade.” Written enquiries can be directed to Infrastructure Services, GPO Box 1434, Brisbane QLD 4001. General enquiries can be made to 07 3403 8888, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Published 31-March-2026
