The accelerated $398 million joint investment from the Australian and New South Wales Governments for road safety improvements – delivered through the Safer Roads Program – is beginning to deliver benefits to regional communities as works on various projects get underway and many more to commence soon.
Earlier this year, the Australian Government has committed $140 million towards the Safer Roads Program to help stimulate the local economy as well as create jobs for the region while getting Australians home sooner and safer.
“We know the impacts of road crashes are devastating and that’s why we are focused on doing everything possible to move towards zero fatalities and serious injuries on our roads.
“Our funding injection for the NSW Safer Roads Program is about getting boots on the ground and shovels in the dirt to ensure this critical program of works is delivered as quickly as possible, saving lives and livelihoods,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said.
About 59 projects under the Safer Roads Program are currently being fast-tracked towards construction and these projects are expected to prevent hundreds of road accident-related injuries and fatalities.
“The Safer Roads Program will also create around 950 direct and indirect jobs over the life of the project, putting reliable work on the books for local construction companies and ensuring more cash flows through local businesses and communities doing it,” Mr McCormack said.
Transport for NSW will be partnering with local councils to deliver the projects under the Safer Roads Program. This program is aiming to install a range of safety treatments on local roads across the State.
The life-saving road safety projects will be delivered through two initiatives, namely:
“Projects being rolled out under this program are targeted at sustainable and long-term reductions in road trauma, to assist NSW to achieve our vision of a road network that has moved closer to zero fatalities.
“These works will save lives and bolster the resilience of the state’s rural and regional road networks, meaning smoother, safer trips to school, work or even the shops – which will make a real difference for those in the bush who depend on them for their day-to-day lives,” NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said.
The New South Wales Government is committing approximately $822 million over a five-year period to the Safer Roads Program, with about $258 million allocated in 2020 to fast track the delivery of 203 road safety infrastructure projects across the State.
Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Transport for NSW – Centre for Road Safety; NSW Government – Towards Zero