Additional funding to deliver new road safety improvements across VIC

Under the Australian Government’s Road Safety Program, additional funding is being committed to jump start works on 16 new life-saving projects across metropolitan and regional roads in Victoria. 

The Federal Government is partnering with the State Government, bringing $69.7 million each to the table for a joint investment of more than $139.4 million. This brings the total funding by both governments to $259.5 million under the Road Safety Program. 

“This additional funding is all part of our collective promise to do what we can to significantly reduce the number of road deaths and serious injuries on our roads, and it’s great to see the Victorian Government come to the table and collaborate with us on this. 

“These projects won’t just improve safety, they’ll also provide those living in regional communities across Victoria with employment opportunities in the construction and planning industry. 

“The wider Road Safety Program forms part of the Albanese Government’s ongoing commitment to work with state and territory governments to fund the priority road safety works they identify,” Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development Anthony Chisholm said. 

The funding boost will help improve safety on the local road network by targeting notorious crossings, intersections and thoroughfares across Victoria, further reducing the risk of crashes that cause fatal or serious injuries. 

The projects will include installing traffic lights at the intersection of Deakin Avenue (Sturt Highway) and Sixteenth Street in Mildura – which is a known black spot – as well as at Stud Road and McFees Road in Dandenong. 

Upgraded traffic signals will also be rolled out at notorious intersections in Frankston, Banyule and Bayside to boost pedestrian safety while dedicated right turns will be introduced at four intersections across Ararat, Ballarat, and Horsham. 

Meanwhile, a $22 million package of works will deliver line marking improvements at high-risk intersections across the Gippsland, Hume, Loddon-Mallee, Grampians, and Barwon South-West regions. To improve safety for motorcyclists, $10 million will be committed to improve protections on barriers, skid resistance, shoulder sealing, and curve signage. 

Approximately 172 new construction jobs will be supported over the life of the Road Safety Program in Victoria. 

“Any life lost on our roads is a tragedy, that’s why we’re working with the Federal Government to reduce road trauma – in the Albanese Government we have a partner in Canberra that backs infrastructure investment in Victoria. 

“These new projects build on our record investment in road safety infrastructure which is saving lives, reducing injuries and preventing crashes before they happen,” VIC Minister for Local Government, Ports and Freight, Road and Road Safety Melissa Horne said. 

Source: Assistant Minister for Regional Development; Infrastructure Magazine