A further four dangerous crash sites on ACT roads will be upgraded thanks to a $3.1 million funding injection through the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program.

The Black Spot Program funds safety measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at locations where a number of serious crashes are known to have occurred, or are at risk of occurring. 

This funding is part of the Government’s $1.3 billion commitment to the Black Spot Program from 2013-14 to 2025-26 to improve road safety across the nation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the Government’s investment would continue to make roads safer across the nation.

“The Government is committed to reducing deaths on our roads and sparing families from the immeasurable impact these tragedies have,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“Funding under the Black Spot Program will deliver much-needed safety upgrades to some of the most dangerous sections of our roads, making them safer and keeping commuters and freight moving.

“The Government is investing more than $25 billion in road safety projects over the next four years.”

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said the four Black Spot projects across the ACT will make an important contribution towards reducing serious injuries and deaths on the capital’s roads, and build on previous investments in the territory.

“This Government is investing in road safety right across the nation to ensure Australians get home sooner and safer,” Assistant Minister Buchholz said.

“This new funding will see total investment through the Black Spot Program in the ACT rise to $14.5 million, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to improving road safety.”

Senator for the ACT and Chair of the ACT Black Spot Consultative Panel Zed Seselja said this investment in Black Spot projects would deliver safer roads throughout the territory.

“The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics has found that Black Spot projects reduce the number of crashes causing death and injury by 30 per cent on average,” Senator Seselja said.

“The high-priority locations we are funding have seen a total of 25 crashes causing injuries recorded over the past five years.”

“These projects build on more than $2.2 billion invested in infrastructure across the ACT in the last few years – the largest federal investment in the ACT since self-government,” Senator Seselja said.

“Since we came to Government $14.5 million has been invested in dangerous black spots through this program across Canberra, saving lives and ensuring Canberrans can get home sooner and safer.”

“The panel that reviews priorities for the program includes representatives from the NRMA, National Capital Authority, Pedal Power, ACT Motorcycle Riders Association, the Australasian College of Road Safety, and Transport Canberra.”

For more information on the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program, or to nominate a black spot, visit investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots.

A list of funded projects is available below. 

[ENDS]  

The Hon Barnaby Joyce MP 
Deputy Prime Minister 
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development

The Hon Scott Buchholz MP 
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport

Senator the Hon Zed Seselja 
Senator for the Australian Capital Territory 
Chair of the Australian Capital Territory Black Spot Consultative Panel

Australian Capital Territory Black Spot Program