Work begins on $4.164M in upgrades to save lives on country roads

Published on 31 August 2018

Member for Albury, Greg Aplin has announced that the Albury electorate will benefit from the Saving Lives on Country Roads Program with road upgrades in Urana, Gerogery, Holbrook and Tumbarumba to begin this financial year.

“Country people make up a third of the NSW population, but last year fatalities on country roads made up nearly 70 per cent of the road toll,” Mr Aplin said.

“The shocking truth is that you are four times more likely to be killed on roads in the country compared to people who live in the city. The Saving Lives on Country Roads Program aims to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads by addressing high risk curves and installing safety features to prevent driver fatigue and lane departure crashes. Four locations for safety improvements in the electorate have been identified with a total cost of $4.164M.”

Projects include:

·         Federation Way at Spraydon Road, Urana $200,000 – Safety improvements to reduce the likelihood of crashes including delineation, sealed shoulders and road surface improvements.

·         Coach Road, Gerogery $825,000 - Safety improvements to reduce the likelihood and severity of crashes including clear zone and safety barrier.

·         Culcairn Holbrook Road at Ralvona Lane, Holbrook $1,174,000 - Safety improvements to reduce the likelihood of crashes including clear zone, sealed shoulders and improved alignment.

·         Courabyra Road at Dunbritton Road, Tumbarumba $365,000 - Safety improvements to reduce the likelihood of crashes including sealed shoulders and delineation.

Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said the projects in the Albury electorate form part of $640 million to deliver safety upgrades on country roads, part of a record $1.9 billion investment to improve road safety in NSW.

“Development of projects will get under way from next month, with Roads, Maritime and Services and local councils starting to work on or completing these important upgrades this financial year,” she said.

“A second round of infrastructure upgrades will take place next financial year. Along with these safety works, the Saving Lives on Country Roads advertising campaign continues to be rolled out to encourage drivers to think twice about their behaviour on the road.”