The Federal and Tasmanian Government are providing additional funding for road safety upgrades across the state, with the funding for improvements now totaling $45.6 million.
Some of the works will include installing line marking, signage and safety barriers on Glenwood Road in Launceston, to enhance the capacity, safety and accessibility of the roads.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack, said the additional works under the $2 billion Road Safety Program will commence immediately, improving safety and supporting jobs right across the country.
“This funding will deliver key lifesaving measures such as shoulder sealing, rumble strips to alert drivers when they are moving out of their lane, prevention of head-on collisions and barriers to prevent run-off-road crashes,” Mr McCormack said.
“The Australian Government takes road safety seriously, which is why we want to start this New Year with boots on the ground and shovels in the dirt to ensure these additional works are delivered quickly for Tasmanians.
“This is all about getting Tasmanians home sooner and safer.”
Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Michael Ferguson, said the additional funding is another demonstration of the Tasmanian Government’s commitment to road safety.
“Vital life saving improvements are expected to be rolled out right across the state delivering much-needed road upgrades while also providing a boost to local jobs and the economy,” Mr Ferguson said.
“The projects being funded – no matter how big or small – could make the difference in someone getting home safely to their loved ones, which is why we continue working to move closer to zero fatalities through these investments.”
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport, Scott Buchholz, said road safety was a key priority for the Federal Government and this investment in upgrades would provide a boost to the economy while saving lives and livelihoods.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility and collaboration between communities and all levels of government will help us move towards achieving Vision Zero,” Mr Buchholz said.
“Projects are already underway through the $500 million Targeted Road Safety COVID-19 stimulus package and this additional funding complements that work, resulting in an even greater roll-out of improved infrastructure and roads right across the nation.”
The Federal Government’s funding for the Road Safety Program is subject to ‘use it or lose it’ provisions and will deliver life-saving treatments on regional roads and to protect vulnerable road users across Tasmania while also supporting local jobs and providing a welcome boost to local economies.
The ‘use it or lose it’ provisions require states and territories to use their notionally allocated funds within a timeframe, or the funds can be reallocated to projects in other jurisdictions.
In total for Tranche 1, the Federal Government has committed $33.3 million and the Tasmanian Government a further $12.3 million to fund the state-wide upgrades.
