The Australian Government is building safer roads in the Hunter through the national Black Spot Programme.
Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Jamie Briggs and Member for Calare and Chair of the NSW Black Spot Consultative Panel John Cobb have announced $53.5 million in funding for 210 Black Spot projects across NSW.
This announcement includes over $10.98 million investment in 32 Black Spot projects across 10 of the 11 local government areas of the Hunter, which will deliver safer roads improved travel times for motorists and more local jobs.
This funding is part of the Australian Government’s commitment of $500 million to the Black Spot Programme in the 2014 Budget which includes an additional $200 million to fast-track investment in infrastructure across the country.
These extra projects in the Hunter are expected to save an additional 3 lives and prevent 138 injury crashes over 10 years, delivering economic benefits to the region of around $44 million.
“Black Spot projects target dangerous roads to save lives and reduce road trauma, ensuring Australia’s roads are made safer and more efficient for all road users,” Mr Cobb said.
The NSW panel, which reviews priorities for the programme includes representatives from the NRMA, NSW Federation of P&C Associations, Council on the Ageing, the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia, NSW Police and state and local government.
Individuals and community groups are encouraged to nominate black spots for consideration.
Nomination forms for Black Spot Projects are available at: investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots/nominate_black_spots.aspx
Download the list of Hunter Black Spot Projects