Funding for Ballina Shire traffic blackspots
Two traffic blackspots in Ballina Shire are to be remedied after Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese and Page MP Janelle Saffin announced the Australian Government will provide $133,256 to fix two dangerous blackspots.
The approved projects in the Page electorate are:
Wardell Road at curve immediately north of Amber Place, Meerschaum Vale: $73,000 to realign the road, improve the road surface and remove roadside hazards.
Intersection of Cherry and Skinner streets, Ballina: $60,256 to install a central median and traffic calming at the intersection.
All projects were recommended by a panel of independent road safety experts and will be delivered during the course of the coming financial year (2010/2011).
Ms Saffin said that since she was elected, the Australian Government had allocated more than $2.9 million to fix 16 black spots across the Page electorate.
“This investment is helping to make our local roads even safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, with 11 of these projects already completed,” Ms Saffin said.
“And the good thing about our Black Spot program is that anyone can suggest an intersection or section of road they believe should be considered for a safety upgrade.
“Nomination forms are available from my office. Alternatively, they can be downloaded from: www.nationbuildingprogram.gov.au.”
Mr Albanese said an independent evaluation of the program found it prevented at least 32 fatalities and more than 1500 serious injuries in its first three years, underscoring its effectiveness at reducing fatal car accidents.
“That’s why nationally we’ve doubled the program’s funding to half a billion dollars – more than honouring all our election commitments,” Mr Albanese said.
