Coalition commits to Alstonville bypass
A re-elected Coalition Government will fully fund the Alstonville bypass, starting in 2008, and also upgrade the Bruxner Highway intersection with the Pacific Highway, the Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of The Nationals, Mark Vaile announced today.
This announcement is part of the Coalition’s 2020 Plan for Australia’s Transport Future, an integrated vision tackling local roads and national highways.
“As a vital non-network project, a re-elected Coalition Government will provide up to $90 million of new funding to deliver the Alstonville bypass. This is on top of the $12 million of Federal Coalition funds already delivered for land acquisition along the corridor,” Mr Vaile said.
“Importantly, funding for this project will be available now, in 2007-08 financial year, in order to allow an immediate start to complete this project delayed by Labor for too long.
“The Federal Coalition committed $12 million for the Alstonville bypass in 2001 on the condition NSW Labor provided the balance to fund this project then expected to cost $24 million.
“The Coalition’s funds have been fully delivered and spent. By contrast, NSW Labor’s funding never eventuated — despite repeated empty promises.
“In addition, the Coalition will ensure the Bruxner Highway intersection is fixed as part of our $2.4 billion to upgrade the Pacific Highway.
“I would particularly like to thank Chris Gulaptis, The Nationals Candidate for Page, for all his hard work to ensure Alstonville bypass and the upgrade of the Bruxner Highway intersection goes ahead.
“Chris Gulaptis understands community anger at Labor’s repeated broken promises to them and Chris has fought hard and won this vital commitment.
“The Coalition is able to invest in important roads like this because it has managed a strong economy and has more plans for future growth.
“Our plan invests in a strategic and targeted manner in order to ensure a safe and efficient transport network to move families from home to work and goods from producers to consumers.”
