Joint Media Statement
The Australian Government is delivering on its commitment to reduce crashes on Australian roads by fixing a number of the most treacherous Tasmanian roads through the Black Spot Programme.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester, alongside Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure Rene Hidding, today announced $4.2 million in funding for 29 Black Spot projects across Tasmania.
“The Australian Government is committed to building safer roads across the nation, and the 29 Black Spot projects being funded across Tasmania are an important investment towards reducing the national road toll,” Mr Chester said.
The Black Spot Programme targets road locations where crashes are occurring, reducing the risk of crashes through funding measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at dangerous locations.”
Mr Hidding said this investment in Black Spot projects will deliver safer roads in 17 local government areas throughout Tasmania.
“Funding has been allocated to road locations that have been identified as a high priority, with 69 injury crashes recorded at these sites,” Mr Hidding said.
“The funding will help improve major ‘black spots’ such as the intersection of Argyle and Patrick streets in Hobart, which recorded 11 injury crashes in the five years to 2015.
“An expert panel has reviewed and recommended these locations, with representatives from the Tasmania Police, Tasmanian Motorcycle Council, Bicycle Network Tasmania, the Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania, the Tasmanian Transport Association and state and local government involved.”
The Australian Government has committed $500 million to the Black Spot Programme from 2014–15 to 2018–19, including an additional $200 million over two years from 2015–16 to improve road safety across the nation.
For more information on the Australian Government’s Black Spot Programme, or to nominate a black spot, visit http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots/.
Media contact for Minister Chester:
Brie Colley 0455 230 605