Queensland road safety projects will be fast-tracked with a $174.7 million funding announced from the Federal Government as part of the nationwide Road Safety Program.
The second round of funding, announced yesterday, will help fun 50 upgrades within the state in the next 12 months and will build upon $296.25 million in joint funding announced in January.
The funding is expected to support 535 direct jobs over the life of each project, with most jobs set to be created in regional Queensland.
Upgrades will include better statewide rest facilities, intersection upgrades, new barriers, extra street lighting and overtaking lanes, audio tactile line-marking and wide centre line treatments on high-risk roads across the state.
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the additional funding will help to improve safety for motorists right across the state.
“We now have almost $475 million in joint funding announced since the start of the year being rolled out across the state for almost 140 projects, with construction works fast-tracked to provide investment certainty and job security in communities across the state,” he said.
These projects will include safety works on the Dawson Highway, Capricorn Highway and Blackwater-Rolleston Road, Gulf Developmental Road, Brisbane Road, Palmerston Highway and Carnarvon Highway and Noondoo‐Thallon Road.
There has already been 174 lives lost this year so far on Queensland roads, with Queensland Assistant Regional Roads Minister Bruce Saunders saying the infrastructure is essential for reducing fatalities.
“Last year was one of the worst in recent years on Queensland roads, with 277 lives lost across the state,” Saunders said.
“Every death on our roads is a tragedy, which is why we have committed record funding to save lives and reduce the impact of trauma on the community.”
These projects will add to the $27.5 billion in roads and transport projects being delivered by the Queensland Government over the next four years, creating 24,000 jobs.
The Australian Government has committed $3 billion to the Road Safety Program over three years from 2020-21. The funds are subject to ‘use it or lose it’ provisions.
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