$890,000 to fix local road black spots in Bundaberg

Road safety in Bundaberg has received a boost with a new round of funding announced under the Black Spot Program.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt today announced funding of $890,000 to fix three black spots on local roads.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the projects were recommended by a panel of independent road safety experts and would be delivered during the course of 2016-17.

“The annual economic cost of road crashes is estimated at $27 billion per year. Governments of all levels have made significant progress over several decades in reducing fatalities, yet there is still work to be done,” Mr Chester said.

“This investment is helping to make our local roads safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.”

Mr Pitt said the community of Hinkler will benefit from a safer local road network through the improvement of Black Spot locations recommended by the Consultative Panel.

The approved projects in Bundaberg are:

• Intersection of Walla Street and George Street at Bundaberg South: $390,000 to upgrade the intersection, extend the kerb and install a new bike lane and pedestrian facilities;

• Intersection of Scotland Street, Eastgate Street and Steindl Street at Bundaberg East: $410,000 to upgrade the roundabout and improve signage line marking and bike lanes;

• Intersection of Commercial Street, Production Street and Brickwork Circuit at Svensson Heights: $90,000 to install street lighting, new signs, line markings, a refuge island and bike lanes.

“Residents will recognise the history and notoriety of each of these locations, including through their own near misses and seeing emergency services at the site first-hand,” Mr Pitt said.

“The Black Spot Program allows anyone to make a submission for a safety upgrade to a road or intersection in their local area.

“According to the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics, there were 1,242 road deaths in Australia in the 12 months to February 2016. This is far too many and we must continue the campaign to make our roads safer.

“We are committed to reducing crashes on our roads.  Accidents take a huge toll on families, our communities and the economy and I am delighted to see these upgrades approved,” Mr Pitt said.

The Australian Government has committed $500 million to the Black Spot Programme from 2014‑15 to 2018-19, including an additional $200 million over two years from 2015-16 to improve road safety and infrastructure across the country.

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/.