Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP today announced nearly $10 million worth of projects from the 2009-10 Budget aimed at improving the safety of Lowan and Polwarth arterial road network.
“The Brumby Government recognises the important role our roads play in linking regional communities and we are taking action to improve the safety of our roads for local motorists,” she said.
“Roads are essential to Victoria’s economic and social development – connecting our towns and suburbs, ensuring efficient freight movement and creating jobs.”
The $9.9 million package includes:
• Bridge Rehabilitation on Princes Highway at Barwon River Winchelsea ($3,000,000);
• Road rehabilitation on Henty Highway – north and south of Branxholme, north of Bells Road and north of Dooen ($1,045,000);
• Road rehabilitation on Glenelg Highway across the Muntham Ridge, east of Casterton ($1,036,000);
• Slip repair and drainage improvements along the Great Ocean Road between Grassy Creek and Petticoat Creek ($882,000);
• Safety improvements including shoulder sealing, improved signage and installation of guardrail/wire rope barriers and tactile edgelines on Penshurst-Warrnambool Road from Penshurst to Kolor Road, Minhamite ($700,000);
• Road widening at Dorodong Road around Dergholm ($540,000);
• Bridge strengthening works at Violet Creek on Dartmoor-Hamilton Road ($530,000);
• Road rehabilitation works on Penshurst-Dunkeld Road south of Hamilton ($308,000);
• Road rehabilitation works on Cobden-Port Campbell Road south of Murfitts Road ($271,000);
• Road rehabilitation works on Colac-Ballarat Road south of Cressy ($248,000);
• Safety improvements to the intersection on Horsham-Kalkee Road from the Western Highway intersection to south of Gatehouse Road ($230,000);
• Road rehabilitatoin works on Timboon-Colac Road intersection, immediately south of Princes Highway ($222,000);
• Road rehabilitation works on Colac-Lavers Hill Road north of Gelliband ($214,000);
• Safety improvements including upgraded guideposts, signage and line marking on Timboon-Nullawarre Road from Timboon to Ayresford Road, Brucknell ($177,000);
• Road rehabilitation works on Wimmera Highway west of Natimuk ($152,000);
• Road rehabilitation works on Chrome Road near the Henty Highway around Branxholme ($126,000);
• Road safety improvements to the Henty Highway at Longerenong Road, Dooen ($107,000);
• Road rehabilitation works on Branxholme Road north of Myamyn-Macarthur Road ($90,000); and
• Pedestrian crossing on Brown Street in Hamilton ($49,000).
Ms Tierney said the funding was part of the Brumby Government’s commitment to making regional roads safer.
“We have seen a 31 per cent reduction in the Victorian road toll since 2001 and achieved the six lowest road tolls on record in the past six years,” she said.
“Regional Victoria recorded its lowest road toll last year but we know there is more we can do to reduce the burden of road trauma on our community.
“This is why the Brumby Government is implementing our arrive alive strategy, which aims to drive down the record low road toll by a further 30 per cent.”
In addition to investing in road safety projects, the arrive alive strategy includes initiatives that encourage safer driving and mandates safer vehicles.
