By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
A TOTAL of four Cardinia Shire black spots will now receive major safety upgrades, after a second announcement from the Federal Government last week.
Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent and Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Jamie Briggs released details of the funding last Friday 24 July.
It comes after MP for La Trobe Jason Wood made an announcement detailing two other Cardinia road upgrades last week.
Under the plan, the stretch of Army Road between Princes Highway and Windermere Boulevard will receive a $354,000 upgrade to its street lighting, while the intersection of Henry Road and McGregor Road in Pakenham will also receive a major upgrade.
At a cost of $38,000, the overhaul will combat right-turn vehicles failing to give way to through traffic by allowing full control of the right turn on the north approach and partial control on the south approach.
Mr Broadbent said the works would significantly improve safety on local roads.
“Black spot projects target dangerous roads to save lives and reduce road trauma, ensuring our local road network is safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians,” he said.
“The good thing about the Black Spot Program is that anyone can suggest an intersection or section of road they believe should be considered for a safety upgrade.”
Mr Briggs added that the projects would also deliver economic benefits.
“These extra projects are expected to save an additional 10 lives and prevent 512 injury crashes over 10 years, and deliver economic dividends of around $169 million,” he said.
“As a result of the Abbott Government’s record investment, an extra 84 projects will be funded in Victoria over 2015-’16,” he said.
Jason Wood’s announcment specified that funding would also be directed at a section of Harkaway Road between Noack and Halleur Roads in Harkaway, and sections of Rainy Hill Road and Woori Yallock Road in Cockatoo.
