Two accident-prone roads on the Sunshine Coast are set to be made safer, via the Federal Government’s Black Spot Program.
Blackall Range Road and Edmund St will be improved via a combined $300,000 boost.
Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace said the community’s feedback was critical to identify which black spots in the region would receive funding.
“Road crashes place major emotional and economic strains on all affected communities but the toll on the mental and physical health of the families and friends of victims is immeasurable,” Mr Wallace said.
“I am pleased to see that the Government continues to listen to our community, and is investing in improving the safety of local accident black spots like Blackall Range Road near West Woombye and Edmund Street in Shelly Beach.” he said.
The Federal Government will invest $157,000 in vehicle activated and static alignment warning signs, chevron alignment markers, road edge guideposts and raised reflective pavement markers at Blackall Range Road, west of Parsons Knob Road at West Woombye.
The Government will also install raised traffic islands on roundabout approaches, alter existing line and pavement markings, upgrade street lights, and install delineation devices and signage at the intersection of Edmund Street and William Street in Shelly Beach, at a cost of $143,000.
“While cycling around this region on my Tour de Fisher, I have seen firsthand how dangerous many of our local roads are for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike,” Mr Wallace said.
“I know that the more than a dozen local road projects like this which the Morrison Government is funding all over the Sunshine Coast are going to save lives.”
The funding is on top of almost $10 million already delivered by the Government for small scale local road upgrades in Fisher since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This funding has seen resurfacing, improved paths and lighting and other safety upgrades for roads including Hunchy Road, Tunnel Ridge Road, Leeding Road, Eastern Mary River Road, Glenview Road; Neerim Drive, Carmel Street, Citrus Road, McCarthy Road, Bald Knob Road, Old Gympie Road, Kawana Way Link Road, the Nicklin Way and many more.
“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 Wallace said.
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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the state would receive $20.8 million under the Black Spot Program’s 2021–22 funding round.
“This major investment is part of the Australian Government’s commitment to building safer roads right across the nation,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“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.
“That is why the Australian Government has committed $1.1 billion to the Black Spot Program from 2013-14 to 2023-24 to improve road safety across Australia.”
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Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said the 67 Black Spot projects across Queensland would make an important contribution towards reducing serious injuries and deaths on Queensland roads and built 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, as even one death or one serious injury crash on our roads is one too many,” Mr Buchholz said.
“This new funding will see total investment through the Black Spot Program in Queensland rise to $189.2 million, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to improving road safety.”
The Australian Government has committed $1.1 billion to the Black Spot Program from 2013– 14 to 2023–24 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 investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots
