'Black spots' given funding
THREE dangerous "black spots" on roads in this region are to receive upgrades.
The announcement was made this week by Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese, who said the government would invest $1,217,000 to fix the spots in the electorate of Flynn.
He said the upgrades would save lives and were part of an ongoing program to fix dangerous sections of road.
Meanwhile, Federal Member for Flynn Ken O'Dowd yesterday said he was reasonably satisfied with the Federal Budget's allocation for roads in his electorate this year, but he was worried about funding for the Bruce beyond that period.
"I am happy the Calliope Crossroads are in there," he said. "But there is not much (in the budget) for the years after that."
Mr O'Dowd said he was particularly worried about the intersection between the Bruce Hwy and the Gladstone-Benaraby Rd.
The sites announced by Mr Albanese include a section of Gladstone-Benaraby Rd at Wurdong and the intersection of Dawson Hwy and Aerodrome Rd at Clinton.
The projects were recommended by a panel of independent road safety experts and are scheduled to be completed by mid-2013.
"Since being elected in 2007, the Federal Labor Government has allocated over $4.3 million to fix 16 black spots across the Flynn electorate," Mr Albanese said. "Nationally, we've doubled funding for the Black Spot program to half a billion dollars," Mr Albanese said.
This year's Federal Budget allocated $300 million to extend the program for a further five years until 2019, adding to $500 million Labor had previously allocated.
Upgrades
A two kilometre section of Gladstone-Benaraby Rd at Wurdong Heights. $659,000 will be spent to improve skid resistance and other measures.
The intersection of Dawson Hwy and Aerodrome Rd. $288,000 upgrade.
2.5-kilometre section of Razorback Rd at Bouldercombe. $270,000 upgrade.
