BLACK SPOT PROGRAM FUNDS SET TO SAVE LIVES
Residents in Hamilton and Warrnambool received a major road safety boost today with the Coalition Government announcing it will invest $555,827 towards two projects under the 2019–20 Black Spot Program.
Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan said the community's input was critical to identifying key black spots in the electorate.
"Road crashes place major emotional and economic strains on all affected communities but particularly the families and friends of the victims," Mr Tehan said.
"I am pleased to see that the projects that help to deliver better roads include the construction of roundabouts at the intersections of King, Shakespeare and Gordon Street in Hamilton and Kelp and Timor Street in Warrnambool will be delivered under the 2019–20 funding round.
"Motorists living within and visiting these areas will also be pleased to know that notorious black spots in two locations in Wannon will be fixed with funding from the program.
"None of these projects would be delivered without the community's vital input, and I encourage all residents and motorists in the region to nominate projects for future funding rounds."
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the safety of 71 Victorian roads 'black spots' would be substantially improved over the next 12 months with $25 million committed to the State under the 2019-20 funding round.
"The Coalition Government is committed to building safer roads right across the nation because one road death or one accident is one too many," Mr McCormack said.
"The Black Spot Program targets road locations where crashes are occurring, reducing the risk of accidents through funding safety measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at dangerous locations.
"The 71 black spot projects being funded across Victoria are an important contribution towards reducing the national road toll."
"Funding has been allocated to road locations that have been identified as a high priority, with 326 casualty crashes recorded at these sites over the past five years, including 15 fatal crashes.
The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) have found that, on average, Black Spot projects reduce the number of crashes causing death and injury by 30 per cent.
For more information on the Australian Government's Black Spot Program, or to nominate a black spot, visit: http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots/.
Media contact | Cate Mercer-Grant 0408 564 232