Hundreds of road safety projects are rolling out across New South Wales, in a $408 million blitz designed to reduce road trauma and save lives, with Monaro receiving more than $7.5 million.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Australian and NSW Governments were working tirelessly to ensure works start immediately and are completed by June to get people home sooner and safer.
“As someone who proudly lives, works and has raised a family in regional NSW, I know just how important safe, efficient road connections are to local communities,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“That’s why we are rolling out this funding to deliver lifesaving upgrades including shoulder sealing, rumble strips to alert drivers when they are moving out of their lane, median upgrades to prevent head-on collisions and barriers to prevent run-off-road crashes and protect against roadside hazards.
“This investment won’t just save lives, it will also provide a shot in the arm to local economies as we come back from the COVID-19 recession, with these projects expected to support more than 2,500 direct and indirect jobs.”
Senator for New South Wales Jim Molan said this investment demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to improving road safety.
“We want to keep improving our roads to keep that road toll down as low as possible,” Senator Molan said.
“Boosting local infrastructure also means boosting jobs and here in Monaro that ensures our local economy can continue to recover from COVID-19.”
NSW Deputy Premier and Member for Monaro John Barilaro said the investment is going to make a real difference in the Monaro.
“No matter where you, everyone should be able to travel safely from A to B. This significant funding injection will ensure our local roads are up to the standard our communities deserve,” Mr Barilaro said.
“I’m particularly pleased to see more than $6 million being invested into improving safety along the Monaro Highway, a key road in our region.
“These improvements will ensure a safer commute for motorists, improve productivity and help stimulate the local economy by creating jobs at a time when they’re needed most.”
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said safety barriers, rumble strips and wide centrelines were among the measures being rolled out under the program designed to save lives.
“As part of this investment, 261 priority projects will be delivered across NSW – 150 of these on regional roads, building on our vision of a safer, stronger regional NSW,” Mr Toole said.
“These projects will help prevent the loss of more than 538 lives and serious injuries on our roads over the project life – that’s the difference between 538 people making it home safely to their families at the end of the day.”
The Australian Government’s funding for the Road Safety Program is subject to ‘use it or lose it’ provisions and will deliver life-saving treatments on regional roads and to protect vulnerable road users across NSW, while also supporting local jobs and providing a welcome boost to local economies.
The ‘use it or lose it’ provisions require States and Territories to use their notionally allocated funds within a timeframe, or the funds can be reallocated to projects in other jurisdictions.
In total, the Australian Government has committed up to $300 million and the NSW Government a further $108.2 million to fund the state-wide upgrades under tranche one.
For more information on the Australian Government’s road safety initiatives, visit www.officeofroadsafety.gov.au.