Latest News

Black spot upgrade for Northern Territory

The Tasmanian Government has confirmed that more safety works for the State’s Midland Highway, with new overtaking lanes, safety barriers and upgraded intersections are to be built.

Through its black spots funding program the Federal Government will commit $400,000 to upgrade a Northern Territory road. The Tasmanian Government has confirmed that more safety works for the State’s Midland Highway, with new overtaking lanes, safety barriers and upgraded intersections are to be built.

The funds will be used to install new, and extend existing sections of guardrail on a 1.5 kilometre section of the Stuart Highway at Virginia.

Senator for the Northern Territory and newly appointed Chair of the Northern Territory Black Spot Consultative Panel Sam McMahon said these upgrade were vital to saving lives on the road.

“This section of the highway has experienced five crashes causing injuries over the past five years, so this is about getting Territorians home sooner and safer,” Mr. McMahon said.

This project is one of eight black spot projects being funded in the Northern Territory for 2019-20, bringing the total funding to $1.9 million.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the new project would make an important contribution towards reducing serious injuries and deaths on the Territory’s roads.

“Everyone has a responsibility when it comes to road safety and these upgrades will ensure this section of the Stuart Highway is made safer for all road users,” Mr McCormack said.

“The Black Spot Program targets road locations where crashes are occurring, improving safety by funding measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at these dangerous locations.”

The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics found that on average, black spot projects reduce the number of crashes causing injury and death by 30 per cent.


Related stories:

Send this to a friend