BLACK SPOT PROGRAM TO SAVE LIVES IN CEDAR POCKET
Residents in Gympie received a major road safety boost today with Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announcing $755,500 will be invested to upgrade Cedar Pocket Road and Gap Road at Cedar Pocket under the 2020-21 Black Spot Program.
Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien said community 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 O’Brien said.
“Safer roads save lives and the Black Spot Program is a fantastic initiative of the Liberal and Nationals Government that upgrades local streets and roads to make them safer for all road users.
“I am pleased that Cedar Pocket Road and Gap Road at Cedar Pocket will be made safer with $755,500 committed to clearing roadside vegetation, guardrails, line marking, end treatments and warning signs, and the realignment and widening of the sealed pavement at two locations.
“A total of three notorious black spots in Wide Bay will be fixed with $971,000 committed from the Black Spot Program,” Mr O’Brien said.
“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.
“While there may be some inconvenience during construction I encourage everyone to observe traffic directions and drive to the conditions.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack announced Queensland would receive $25.3 million over two years under the latest round of program funding.
“The Federal Government’s record investment into upgrading roads is saving lives right across the nation,” Mr McCormack said.
“As a regional representative, I know first-hand how road crashes causing death and injury affect smaller communities.
“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 number of deaths and serious injuries recorded on the nation’s roads by at least 30 per cent by 2020.
“Fixing the 51 black spots identified in Queensland over the next two years 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 Queensland 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
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Media Contacts:
For Mr O’Brien – Simon Kelly – 4121 2936
