McCORMACK DELIVERS ON HEAVY VEHICLE SAFETY ACROSS RIVERINA AND CENTRAL WEST
THE Nationals’ Member for Riverina, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack has delivered on a number of vital heavy vehicle route upgrades across the Riverina and Central West.
The Liberal and Nationals' Government has contributed a total of $7,274,880 towards projects in the Hilltops, Lockhart and Parkes Local Government Areas (LGA).
The Government has contributed $5,624,880 towards two major projects in the Hilltops LGA – the replacement of the Bundarbo Bridge at Jugiong ($4,672,537 of $9,445,074) and the construction of decoupling bays and a heavy vehicle rest area on Milvale Road in Young ($952,343 of $2,254,686).
Mr McCormack said both projects would increase productivity in the region.
“This is vital funding which will increase heavy vehicle access as well as traffic capacity over the new Bundarbo Bridge,” Mr McCormack said.
“The heavy vehicle rest and decoupling area on Milvale Road will also be an important step to enhance heavy vehicle users’ safety along the route.”
The Federal Government has contributed $790,000 towards a $2,362,225 project in the Lockhart LGA which will include sealing and upgrading Flood Detour road, upgrading two culverts along Grubben Road and upgrading two causeways along Bullenbung and Lockhart-The Rock roads.
Mr McCormack said the upgrades would increase load limits and productivity.
“This funding will bring the High Mass Limit Route in the Lockhart Shire up to B-double standard,” he said.
The Liberal and Nationals’ Government has contributed $860,000 of a $1,870,000 project in Parkes LGA to widen and seal a 6.2-kilometre section of the Bogan Way.
Mr McCormack said the upgrade would cater for the growing number of heavy vehicles along the road.
“The widening of the road will address a number of bottlenecks along the route,” Mr McCormack said.
“This upgrade comes on top of the new two-lane Kadina Bridge along Bogan Way near Bogan Gate which was delivered through the Federal Government’s Bridges Renewal Program.
“Most importantly, all the projects will improve road users’ safety.”
Mr McCormack said the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program provided funding to local councils and State and Territory Governments to help fund works designed to improve the safety and efficiency of important heavy vehicle routes around the nation.
“Around Australia we are investing in helping people get home sooner and safer, no matter where they live,” Mr McCormack said.
“That’s why we are continuing to deliver road funding where it’s needed, based mainly on the local knowledge, especially to councils which make up more than 60 per cent of the 93 projects selected under this latest round of funding.”
More on the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, including a full list of successful Round Six projects, is available at: http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure_investment/heavy_vehicle_safety_and_productivity.aspx.