Two black spots at Buderim and another at Kiels Mountain will be fixed under road safety funding allocated in Tuesday night’s budget.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester and Federal Member for Fairfax, Ted O’Brien today announced the funding of $161,172 to fix three black spots on local roads.
“Having specialised funding allocated to fix these dangerous spots is great news for the local community and everyone who drives on these sections of road. Local residents will recognise the history and notoriety of each of these locations,” Mr O’Brien said.
“$94,972 has been allocated to upgrade a section of Kiel Mountain Road at Kiels Mountain, the intersection of Sugar Road and Wises Road at Buderim will get $56,100 and the Intersection of Wises Road and Darby Close receives $10,000,” he said.
Minister Chester said the projects were recommended under an independent process and would be delivered during the course of 2017-18.
“Every dollar we invest in safer roads helps to change lives and save lives, and the Black Spot Programme is a crucial part of the Turnbull-Joyce Government’s effort to improve the safety and efficiency of roads right around the country,” Mr Chester said.
“The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) has found that, on average, black spot projects reduce fatal and injury crashes by 30 per cent. That’s why the Turnbull-Joyce Government has committed $684.5 million to the Programme from 2013-14 to 2020-21,” he said.
Mr O’Brien said the beauty of the Black Spot Programme was that it allowed anyone to make a submission for a safety upgrade to a road or intersection in their local area.
“We are committed to reducing crashes on our roads. Accidents take a huge toll on families, our communities and the economy and the Sunshine Coast is no exception. I am delighted to see these upgrades approved,” Mr O’Brien said.
The approved projects in Fairfax are:
• Section of Kiel Mountain Road from the Bruce Highway Overpass to Diddillibah Road at Kiels Mountain: $94,972 to widen lanes, upgrade shoulders and road surface, mark centreline and edge line, install raised reflective pavement markers and guideposts and remove trees within the clear zone.
• Intersection of Sugar Road and Wises Road at Buderim: $56,100 to remove the existing guide signs and install new dual lane roundabout signs on three approaches, install new line marking with new lane dedication arrows on all approaches and upgrade lane line marking on circulating lanes.
• Intersection of Wises Road and Darby Close at Buderim: $10,100 to install a fully controlled right turn with arrows.
For more information on the Government’s Black Spot Programme, or to nominate a black spot, click here.