The Federal Government has unveiled a $33.3 million funding boost for the 2024-25 Black Spot Program, targeting 56 identified accident-prone sites to enhance road safety.
This program focuses on locations with a high crash rate or potential for severe accidents.
The new funding will facilitate a range of safety enhancements, including the installation of traffic signals, safety barriers, roundabouts, line markings, and pedestrian safety measures.
In Mitchell Shire, three areas are receiving funding under the program.
Oak St and Wimble St in Seymour will receive $120,000 to install multiple speed cushions and bicycle sharrows.
Seymour-Pyalong Rd and Sugarloaf Creek Rd will receive $971,000 to convert to a T-intersection, advisory speed signs on approach to the intersection, advanced warning signs, and improved delineation.
Seymour-Pyalong Rd-Bridge St to 400 metres east of Panyule Rd in Pyalong will receive $285,000 for shoulder widening through the curve, install audio tactile centrelines and line marking, considering speed limit reduction to 80km/h, and curve alignment markers and warning signs.
These projects are anticipated to significantly decrease the number of serious injuries and fatalities on Victorian roads.
Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne welcomed the $33.3 million investment to improve the safety of sites right across the state to ensure more Victorians can get home to their loved ones safely.
“We’ve identified and assessed spots right across our state — this program will upgrade sites ranging from Mildura and Shepparton right down to Gippsland and our Surf Coast,” she said.
The Black Spot Program has witnessed a significant budget increase, with annual funding growing from $110 million to $150 million.
This financial commitment supplements previous road safety improvement initiatives across the state.
Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Carol Brown said local communities know where their most dangerous road locations are and their ability to nominate projects under the program and work with state and local experts in reviewing nominations is why this program is so successful.
“With the recent announcement of our increased commitment to this long-running program, I strongly encourage individuals, organisations, and local governments to nominate sites in their local communities for consideration in the next round of funding,” she said.
This is part of the government’s response to the worsening road toll, which includes doubling Roads to Recovery funding from $500 million to $1 billion a year and delivering a nationally harmonised set of high-quality and timely data to inform road safety decision-making.
For more information on the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program, to nominate a black spot and for the full list of Victorian recipients visit: Black Spot Program | Infrastructure Investment Program