Andrew Leigh

I was delighted to announce with Gai Brodtmann this week the latest round of funding for ACT Black Spots.

One of the black spots funded in this round was nominated by a member of the public, as reported in the Canberra Times.

Don't forget you can email andrew.leigh.mp <@> aph.gov.au by the end of the month to nominate an ACT Black Spot.

Anthony Albanese

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport

Leader of the House

Andrew Leigh

Member for Fraser

Gai Brodtmann

Member for Canberra

More black spots to be upgraded on ACT roads

To help make Canberra roads safer, the Federal Government is investing more than $1 million to fix eight dangerous black spots identified around the ACT.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese, Member for Fraser, Andrew Leigh and Member for Canberra, Gai Brodtmann announced the increased funding today, which will be delivered during the course of the financial year (2012-2013).

The projects approved by a panel of independent road safety experts include:

 Section of Aikman Drive between Emu Bank and Townsend Place at Belconnen: $250,000 to signalise a pedestrian crossing.

 Intersection of Macarthur Avenue, David Street and Wattle Street at Lyneham: $187,000 to improve signals and signage, and upgrade the existing light columns to frangible type.

 Intersection of Kingsford Smith Drive and Spalding Street at Melba: $130,000 to install a lane reduction.

 Section of Challis Street between Cape Street and Morphett Street at Dickson: $96,000 to install painted turn bays, lane definition and reduce speed limit to 50km/h.

 Intersection of Sandford Street and Gungahlin Drive at Mitchell: $16,000 to install signage improvements.

 Section of Monaro Highway between Hindmarsh Drive and Lanyon Drive at Hume: $225,000 to enhance speed limit signage and install new flashing warning signs before Lanyon Drive.

 Intersection of Eggleston Crescent and Melrose Drive at Chifley: $144,000 to construct a partial closure of the median, ensuring no right turn out of Eggleston Crescent.

 Intersection of Athllon Drive and Fincham Crescent at Wanniassa: $40,000 for line of sight improvements.

Since 2007, the Federal Labor Government has allocated more than $6.9 million to fix 51 black spots across the ACT.

“This investment is helping to make our roads safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians,” Ms Brodtmann said.

“By identifying issues on our roads and upgrading dangerous areas and intersections we can prevent accidents.”

Dr Leigh said local drivers are best placed to identify dangerous spots on ACT roads.

“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.

“To qualify for inclusion under the program, a location must have suffered at least one traffic accident,” said Dr Leigh.

Mr Albanese said an independent evaluation of the Black Spot program found it prevented at least 32 fatalities and more than 1,500 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,” said Mr Albanese.

This year’s Federal Budget allocated $300 million to extend the Program for a further five years until 2019, building on the record $500 million Labor had previously allocated to it. This new funding can be expected to prevent more than 2,000 accidents and the loss of 14 lives a year.

To nominate a black spot, contact your local MP. Alternatively, downloaded a nomination form at www.nationbuildingprogram.gov.au

For consideration in the 2013-14 Black Spots funding round, nominations must be sent by the end of June. Work is only funded under the program if the benefits (in reduced deaths, injuries and property damage) are at least twice as large as the costs of doing the work.