Funding to fix region’s road black spots

ROAD users and pedestrians alike in the Geelong region are set to benefit from Black Spot projects announced last week by the federal government, designed to reduce crash risk and improve overall safety.

Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson said the Morrison Government will invest $5.93 million across 10 road projects in the electorates of Corangamite, Corio, Bendigo and Ballarat through the 2021-22 Black Spot Program.

“Road crashes place major emotional and economic strains on all affected communities but particularly the families and friends of the victim,” she said.

Projects to be delivered under the 2021–22 funding round include:

• $1.67 million to install guard fence, widen road shoulders and pavement on Cape Otway Road between Considines Road and Hendy Main Road at Moriac
• $638,000 to install wombat crossings, improved signage and line marking on all approaches to the Barwarre Road and Marshalltown Road intersection at Marshall
• $301,000 to install safety barrier with motorcycle rub rail and improve west approach to the Coopers Bridge and install solar-powered Vehicle Activated flashing warning signs on west approach to the bridge at the Meredith-Steiglitz Road and Pioneer Ridge Road at Meredith
• $1.1 million to improve slip lanes, turning lanes and pedestrian access at on the Princes Highway and North Shore Road intersections at Norlane
• $1.03 million for roundabout, lighting and line marking improvements at the Autumn Street and Minerva Road intersection at Manifold Heights, and
• $185,000 to install splitter islands and new lighting at the Wilsons Road and Westmorland Street intersection at St Albans Park.

“With road safety such a vital issue for our region, I encourage all residents and motorists to nominate projects for future funding rounds,” Senator Henderson said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said Victoria would receive $25.8 million in 2021-22 under the latest round of program funding.

“The Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to making roads safer in Victoria and right across the nation.

“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 or risk 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.”

For more information on the Black Spot Program, or to nominate a black spot, head to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications website.