$509,000 to fix black spots in Herbert

Media Release. Senator Jan McLucas Minister for Human Services

The Gillard Labor Government will invest $509,000 to fix four dangerous black spots in the Federal electorate of Herbert. The approved projects are: Intersection of Woolcock Street and Pilkington Street at Garbutt: $225,000 to install metered signals on each leg of the intersection; Intersection of Woolcock Street and Duckworth Street at Garbutt: $178,000 to signalise all four legs of the roundabout with metered signals to control traffic during peak times; Intersection of Dearness Street and Ramsay Street at Garbutt: $64,000 to improve signage, install raised islands and painted islands to channel vehicles and remove a tree hazard; and Intersection of Morey Street and Perkins Street at South Townsville: $42,000 to install a raised median and additional delineation to increase drivers' awareness of the intersection. The projects were recommended by a panel of independent road safety experts and will be delivered during the course of the coming financial year (2013-14). Since being elected in 2007, the Federal Labor Government has allocated over $2.7 million to fix thirty three black spots across the Herbert electorate. Nationally, we've doubled funding for the Black Spot Program to half a billion dollars – more than honouring our election commitments. This record investment is already helping to make our local roads safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. A recent evaluation of the program found that fatal and casualty crashes are reduced at treated sites by 30%, which translates to the saving of one life per year for every 84 projects. It also returns around $7.70 for every $1 invested by reducing the number and cost of crashes.