IMPROVED ROAD SAFETY WITH NORTHERN TERRITORY ‘BLACK SPOT’ UPGRADE

UPGRADES to a Northern Territory road under the Liberal and Nationals Government’s ‘black spots’ funding program will improve safety for all road users.

The Liberals and Nationals Government is providing $400,000 to install new and extend existing sections of guardrail on a 1.5-kilometre section of the Stuart Highway at Virginia, between Morgan Road and Virginia Road.

Senator for the Northern Territory and newly appointed Chair of the Northern Territory Black Spot Consultative Panel Sam McMahon said these upgrade were vital to saving lives on the road.

“This section of the highway has experienced five crashes causing injuries over the past five years, so this is about getting Territorians home sooner and safer.” Senator McMahon said.

“This brings the total Black Spot projects being funded in the Northern Territory in 2019–20 to eight, which is an important contribution towards reducing the national road toll.

Today’s announcement brings the total Black Spot funding for the Northern Territory in the 2019–20 funding round to $1.9 million.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the new project would make an important contribution towards reducing serious injuries and deaths on the Territory’s roads.

“Everyone has a responsibility when it comes to road safety and these upgrades will ensure this section of the Stuart Highway is made safer for all road users,” Mr McCormack said.

“The Black Spot Program targets road locations where crashes are occurring, improving safety by funding measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at these dangerous locations.

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said the panel, which reviews priorities for the program, includes representatives from the NT Road Transport Association, NT Police, Automobile Association of the NT and Territory and local governments.

“The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) has found that, on average, Black Spot projects reduce the number of crashes causing death and injury by 30 per cent,” Mr Buchholz said.

“The Australian Government has committed $1.05 billion to the Black Spot Program from 2013–14 to 2022–23 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 https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure_investment/black_spot/.