The proposed site for the new Tuross Head Bus Stop. Photo: Supplied.
Hundreds of road safety projects are rolling out across NSW in a $408 million blitz designed to reduce road trauma and save lives, with the Bega Valley and Eurobodalla shires receiving $7.74 million between them, and a further $6 million to be spent on the Monaro Highway.
Member for Bega Andrew Constance said both the federal and state governments are doing everything possible to get residents and visitors home sooner and safer.
“We know how important these upgrades will be to our local community and that’s why we are funding them,” he said.
“There will be an emphasis on road safety barriers, median barriers, shoulder widening and resurfacing across areas of the Bega Valley and Eurobodalla shires.
“A project focused on road and pedestrian safety will be the relocation of the Tuross Head Bus Stop on the Princes Highway to Hector McWilliam Drive, which I know the Tuross Head community will be pleased to see go ahead.”
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the Australian and NSW governments want to see the works completed by June.
“As someone who proudly lives, works and has raised a family in regional NSW, I know just how important safe and efficient road connections are to local communities,” he said.
“That’s why we are rolling out this funding to deliver lifesaving upgrades, including shoulder sealing; rumble strips to alert drivers when they are moving out of their lane; median upgrades to prevent head-on collisions; and barriers to prevent run-off-road crashes and to protect against roadside hazards.
“This investment won’t just save lives, it will also provide a shot in the arm to local economies as we come back from the COVID-19 recession. These projects are expected to support more than 2500 direct and indirect jobs.”
Projects on the NSW South Coast include resurfacing for skid resistance on six curves near Eden; more safety barriers on the Princes Highway; a median barrier, shoulder widening and guard fencing north of Narooma; and shoulder widening on other parts of the highway.
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the safety barriers, rumble strips and wide centrelines being rolled out under the program are designed to save lives.
“These projects will help prevent the loss of more than 538 lives and serious injuries on our roads during the project’s life – that’s the difference between 538 people making it home safely to their families at the end of the day,” he said.
The Australian Government’s funding for the Road Safety Program is subject to ‘use it or lose it’ provisions, which require states and territories to use their notionally allocated funds within a timeframe, or the funds can be reallocated to projects in other jurisdictions.
In total, the Australian Government has committed up to $300 million and the NSW Government a further $108.2 million to fund the statewide upgrades under tranche one.
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