Bridge and heavy vehicle safety projects get underway with $290M funding

The Federal Government has announced more than 350 projects will share in $290 million of federal funding for bridge and heavy vehicle safety.

Funding is allocated under Round Five of the Bridges Renewal Program and Round 7 of the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP). In March 2020 the Federal Government announced $300 million in funding was available for these programs.

Nearly 80 per cent of the final $290 million is now set for local council work and is expected to help support local workers.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the funding would improve the productivity and safety of bridges and heavy vehicle routes nationwide, while supporting jobs and the economy at a time it’s needed most.

“I am pleased to deliver more than $290 million in funding to help upgrade and replace bridges that have been damaged or are deteriorating, while improving key heavy vehicle infrastructure right across the nation,” McCormack said.

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said 50 per cent of this funding would benefit communities affected by the ongoing drought and last summer’s bushfires.

“$146.97 million in funding through these rounds will go to councils affected by bushfires, drought or both, allowing them to prioritise and fast-track their highest priority infrastructure projects while supporting much-needed local jobs and the economy,” Buchholz said.

He said Round Seven of the HVSPP includes livestock transport industry projects. For example Longreach Regional Council in Queensland have been successful in securing funding to upgrade the Western Queensland Livestock Exchange.

“Already more than 500 projects funded through the BRP and HVSPP across the country have either been completed or are well underway and I look forward to getting shovels in the ground on these next projects.”

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