Residents in Tamworth received another major road safety boost today with the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government announcing it will invest a further $100,000 under the 2020–21 Black Spot Program at the Jewry-Lockheed Street intersection.
Federal Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said it follows more than $2.5 million in recent federal funding for black spots around the community, adding that 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 Joyce said.
“I am pleased to see projects such as the upgrade to the intersection layout at the corner of Jewry and Lockheed Street in Tamworth will be delivered under the 2020–21 funding round.
“This works hand-in-glove with our recently completed $3.5 million duplication of Jewry Street Bridge.”
The black spot project follows previous funding under this program to fix notorious black spots at Duri-Dungowan Road ($497,149), Werris Creek Road at Currabubula ($470,000), intersection of Trevenna Road, Elm Avenue and Booloominbah Drive in Armidale ($592,274), Thunderbolts Way north of Baringa Road at Walcha ($192,657) and the intersection of Moore Creek Road and Browns Lane, Tamworth ($800,000) to name but a few.
“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,” Mr Joyce added.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack announced New South Wales would receive $50.6 million over two years under the latest round of program funding.
“The Federal Government’s record investment in upgrading roads is saving lives right across the nation,” Mr McCormack said.
“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.”
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said 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 147 black spots identified in New South Wales over the next 24 months will play a crucial role in helping us achieve that goal,” Mr Buchholz said.
“We are committed to making sure those living and travelling through New South Wales are able to do so more safely by providing the infrastructure they want, need and most importantly deserve.”
The Federal Liberal and Nationals Government has committed $1 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: http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots
(ENDS)