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Safer roads on Buswell's agenda

Transport Minister Troy Buswell has announced $7.4 million in new funding to be spent on four road projects in the Great Southern.

Making the announcement in Albany yesterday, Mr Buswell said the funding injection through the Safer Country Roads initiative was significant and would improve safety in the region.

“The biggest single project is $4 million to widen the seal and install audible edge lines on Albany Highway between Norrish Road and Kojonup,” he said.

Mr Buswell said other projects included $1.6 million for widening and audible lining on South Coast Highway between 7 Mile Creek and Albany, $1 million for improvements to the Northam-Cranbrook Road and $600,000 for ongoing works on South Coast Highway near Manypeaks.

“The Safer Country Roads initiative is about providing better, safer roads in regional Western Australia, to help reduce the social and economic cost of road trauma in the State and to ensure our regional road infrastructure continues to meet the growing demands of heavy vehicle traffic,” he said.

The minister said the Safer Country Roads program was a funding pool created through combining several State Government sources, including Safer Roads, Local Roads, Royalties for Regions and the Road Trauma Trust Account.

“Since the start of July this year, the Road Trauma Trust Account has been receiving 100 per cent of all speed camera revenue… which has provided a significant boost to the State’s road safety,” he said.

Albany MP Peter Watson, who has previously called for road upgrades to Albany Highway, welcomed the funding, but said it was overdue.

“I think it’s very important and a very good move by the Government,” he said.

“A lot of people use the road because they can’t afford to go with Skywest.”

keir.tunbridge@albanyadvertiser.com