The Federal Government has announced funding for the 2018-2019 Black Spot Program at Hawthorn, which aims to eradicate dangerous sections of road.
The Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, Keith Pitt, said South Australia would be receiving $5.5 million under the latest round of program funding.
“The Coalition Government is committed to making roads safer in South Australia and right across the nation,” he said.
“The Black Spot Program reduces fatal and injury crashes by 30 per cent—specifically targeting road locations with a history of crashes to deliver safety improvements such as road widening, increased lighting and signage, and installing traffic lights and roundabouts.
“Under the National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020, the Australian, state and territory governments have committed to reducing the numbers of deaths and serious injuries recorded on the nation’s roads by at least 30 per cent by 2020.
“Fixing the 24 black spot projects identified in South Australia today will play a crucial role in helping us to achieve that goal.”
Chair of the South Australian Black Spot Consultative Panel Tony Pasin said this investment in black spot projects will deliver safer roads in 21 local government areas throughout the state.
“Funding has been allocated to road locations that have been identified as high priority, with one fatal and 125 injury crashes recorded at these sites over the past five years,” Mr Pasin said.
Federal Member for Boothby Nicolle Flint said one black spot to benefit under the new allocation was the intersection of Grange Road and Sussex Terrace in Hawthorn.
“$145,000 will be invested in making this intersection safer for both motorists and pedestrians—a prime example of how local communities stand to benefit from the Australian Government’s Black Spot investment,” Ms Flint said.
“We will work with the City of Mitcham to improve the intersection’s roundabout through installation of new pavement markings, mountable aprons for larger vehicles and safe storage areas for pedestrians.
The Federal Government is providing $744.5 million to the Black Spot Program between 2013-14 and 2021-22 to improve road safety across the nation.
