Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Jamie Briggs, and Member for Lyons and Chair of the Tasmanian Black Spot Consultative Panel, Eric Hutchinson, have announced $4.37 million in funding for 35 Black Spot projects across Tasmania.
Briggs said this funding is part of the Australian Government's record commitment of $500 million to the Black Spot Programme in the 2014 Budget, which includes an additional $200 million to fast-track investment in world class infrastructure across the country.
“As a result of the Australian Government's additional investments, an extra 25 projects will be funded in Tasmania over 2015–16, meaning even safer roads, improved travel times for motorists and more local jobs,” Briggs said.
“These extra projects are expected to save an additional three lives and prevent 153 injury crashes over 10 years, and deliver economic dividends of around $18 million.”
Hutchinson said this investment in Black Spot projects will deliver safer roads for Tasmania through targeted upgrades proven to deliver results.
“An evaluation of the Black Spot Programme has found that fatal and casualty crashes are reduced at treated sites by 30 per cent, which equals one life per year for every 84 projects. Projects also return almost $7 for every $1 invested by reducing the number and cost of crashes,” Hutchinson said.
The Tasmanian panel that reviews priorities for the programme includes representatives from the Tasmania Police, Tasmanian Motorcycle Council, Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania and state and local government.
