Black Spot Program to Deliver Major Road Safety Improvements in the Region
A dangerous intersection in Rangeville will undergo a major upgrade in one of two key projects in our region under the latest round of the Australian Government’s Black Spots Program.
Federal Member for Groom John McVeigh was at the corner of Perth and Cohoe Streets in Rangeville today to announce $700,000 in funding for safety improvements at the intersection, as well as major safety improvements along Umbiram Road near Wyreema.
“Under the Black Spots program our region will receive $700,000 to install a roundabout at the intersection of Perth and Cohoe Streets in a major upgrade that will significantly improve safety for drivers and pedestrians,” he said.
“We will also receive $476,000 for safety improvement works along Umbiram Road between Whittaker Road and Wyreema-Athol Road, including warning and hazard signage, barrier line and edge line, guide posts and the installation of a traversable headwall.”
Dr McVeigh said the community’s input was critical to identifying key black spots in the electorate.
“None of these projects would be delivered without the community’s vital input and I’d encourage all residents and motorists in the region to nominate projects for future funding rounds,” Dr McVeigh said.
Deputy Prime Minister, Nationals’ Leader and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack announced Queensland would receive $12.562 million under the latest round of program funding.
“The Federal Liberal and Nationals’ Government is committed to making roads safer in Queensland and right across the nation,” Mr McCormack said.
“Representing a regional electorate myself, I know first-hand how road crashes causing death and injury affect smaller communities, so I am very pleased to be able to announce today the details of how this round of Black Spot funding will be distributed
“By specifically targeting road locations with a history of crashes for safety upgrades such as lighting, signage, traffic lights and roundabouts, the Black Spot Program reduces crashes causing injury and death at those sites by around 30 per cent.
“Under the National Road Safety Strategy 2011–2020, the Australian, state and territory governments have committed to reducing the numbers of deaths and serious injuries recorded on the nation’s roads by at least 30 per cent by 2020.
“Fixing the 44 black spots identified in Queensland over the next 12 months will play a crucial role in helping us achieve that goal.”
The Australian Government is providing $744.5 million to the Black Spot Program between 2013–14 and 2021–22 to improve road safety across the nation.
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.