Anthony Albanese
Sid Sidebottom
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
Member for Braddon
Joint Media Release _____________________________________________________________________ $549,000 FOR TWO BLACK SPOTS IN BRADDON The Rudd Labor Government will invest $549,000 to fix two dangerous black spots in the NorthWest and West, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese and Member for Braddon, Sid Sidebottom, announced today. Nationally, the funding for the Black Spots Program for 2008/09 has been almost tripled from $50 million to $144.7 million under the Rudd Government's Nation Building plan to support jobs. “We are committed to reducing crashes on our roads. Accidents take a huge toll on families, our communities and the economy,” Mr Albanese said. “This is a serious investment in safer roads for local motorists and their families. These projects will help drive down the appalling social and economic cost of road carnage.” The project in Devonport will see the installation of a roundabout at the intersection of Oldaker Street and Ronald Street. Another $389,000 will be spent to upgrade sections of safety barrier on Henty Main Road between the Henty River Bridge and Zeehan. Mr Sidebottom said that the project was assessed and recommended by a panel of independent road safety experts including the RACT, Tasmanian Transport Council, Australian Motorcycle Council and state and local government. “The Black Spot Program has a proven track record of saving lives, which means this funding will provide real benefits for the local community,” Mr Sidebottom said. “It also returns around $14 for every $1 invested by reducing the number and cost of crashes. “The Rudd Labor Government has more than doubled Black Spots funding as part of our Nation Building and Economic Stimulus Strategy. I am looking forward to these projects being started quickly to give a boost to local employment.” Anyone can suggest a location or a section of road for black spot funding using a nomination form that can be downloaded from www.nationbuildingprogram.gov.au 23, April, 2009 Media Contacts_____________________________________________________ For Mr Albanese:
Jeff Singleton
0410 476 890
For Mr Sidebottom:
Luke Sayer
0458 311 355