Blue Mountains News

The Black Spot Program funds safety measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at locations where a number of serious crashes are known to have occurred, or are at risk of occurring.

“I am very pleased the Albanese Government is investing more than $800,000 in the Blue Mountains and more than $1.6 million in the Hawkesbury to address safety concerns at four local black spots this financial year,” Ms Templeman said.

“The improvements to be completed locally will include intersection upgrades, street lighting, flexible barriers and a roundabout.

“The Black Spot Program funds safety measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at locations where a number of serious crashes are known to have occurred, or are at risk of occurring, and is completely separate to funding allocated for repairs to storm and flood-affected roads.”

Black spots to receive funding includes:

• Old Bathurst Road (from Reserve Ave to Blue Gum Cres), Blaxland: $300,000 to upgrade the intersection from Give Way to Stop, install curb extensions, raised islands, street lighting and slow points, as well as a pedestrian refuge and other works;
• Old Bathurst Road (1.2-kilometre section east of Binya Street), Blaxland: $520,000 to install street lighting at mid-block, vehicle activated signs, profile (audio-tactile) edgeline and line-marking, as well as a semi-rigid barrier on the roadside, among other works;
• St Albans Road (500-metre section south of MacDonald River), Lower Macdonald: $1,120,000 to install flexible barrier on the roadside and vehicle activated signs, improve the sealed shoulder up to 2.5 metres on the curve, plus other works; and,
• Francis Street (750-metre section from Onus Lane to Toxana St): $500,000 for road edge line sand and to install raised islands with additional Stop or Give Way, a one-lane roundabout and slow point.

Funding under the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program will substantially improve 93 dangerous crash sites on New South Wales roads in 2022–23, Ms Templeman said.

“These upgrades to known black spots across the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury will help ensure members of our community get home safely every trip,” Ms Templeman said.

For more information on the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program, or to nominate a black spot, visit here

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Carol Brown:

“This major investment is part of the Australian Government’s commitment to building safer roads.

“The Australian Government has committed $110 million per year to the Black Spot Program to improve road safety across the nation.

“In announcing these new projects, this Government recognises the importance of working with the NSW Government to partner with local councils to deliver the program in the state.

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Gilmore and Chair of the New South Wales Black Spot Consultative Panel Fiona Phillips:

“The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics has found that Black Spot projects reduce the number of crashes causing death and injury by 30 per cent on average.

“This investment in Black Spot projects will deliver safer roads throughout the state.”