Funding for 30 new Black Spot projects in WA

Afurther 30 dangerous crash sites on Western Australian roads will be upgraded thanks to a $12.91 million funding injection through the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program.

The Black Spot Program funds safety measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at locations where a number of serious crashes are known to have occurred, or are at risk of occurring.

This funding is part of the Liberal/ National Government’s $1.3 billion commitment to the Black Spot Program from 2013-14 to 2025-26 to improve road safety across the nation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the Government’s investment would continue to make roads safer across the nation.

“The Government is committed to reducing deaths on our roads and sparing families from the immeasurable impact these tragedies have,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“Funding under the Black Spot Program will deliver much-needed safety upgrades to some of the most dangerous sections of our roads, making them safer and keeping commuters and freight moving.

“Our Government is investing more than $25 billion in road safety projects over the next four years.”

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said the 30 Black Spot projects across Western Australia will make an important contribution towards reducing serious injuries and deaths on the state’s roads, and build on previous investments in the state.

“This Government is investing in road safety right across the nation to ensure Australians get home sooner and safer,” Assistant Minister Buchholz said.

“This new funding will see total investment through the Black Spot Program in Western Australia rise to $118.5 million, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to improving road safety.”

Chair of the Western Australia Black Spot Consultative Panel Rick Wilson said this investment in Black Spot projects would deliver safer roads throughout the state.

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

“The high-priority locations we are funding have seen a total of 11 crashes causing fatalities and 111 crashes causing injuries recorded over the past five years.

“The panel that reviews priorities for the program includes representatives from the Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia, Western Roads Federation, Road Safety Commission, Western Australian Local Government Association and Main Roads Western Australia”. For more information on the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program, or to nominate a black spot, visit investment. infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots

Western Roads Federation has been formed to give a strong unified voice for companies who use WA roads for commercial benefit. Western Roads Federation is a membership driven organisation. If you believe in the industry and what you do, then make sure your company is a member, and get involved. For a membership application form Email cam.dumesny@westernroads.com.au ◆ Phone 08 9365 7799 or 0481 064 371 180 Hay St, East Perth WA 6004