May 20, 2016
Lakes Entrance has received $350,000 for road safety upgrades announced this week by the Federal Government.
Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, who is also Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, has announced funding for two separate projects in Lakes Entrance.
Ostlers Road between Capes Road and Colquhoun Road will receive $210,000; and a further $147,000 will be spent upgrading a 5.3km section of Scriveners Road from Armstrong Track to Colquhoun Road.
“These sections of Ostlers Road and Scriveners Road have a dangerous history, with eight separate incidents in the past five years,” Mr Chester said.
“Both roads are well-known to locals and these upgrades will make both roads safer.
“I congratulate East Gippsland Shire Council for its work identifying the need to improve safety and securing Federal Government funding to undergo the work.”
Mr Chester said The Nationals as part of the Coalition Government were focussed on fixing rural roads and improving safety for all motorists.
“The annual economic cost of road crashes is estimated at $27 billion per year, let alone the devastating social costs. Governments of all levels have made significant progress over several decades in reducing fatalities, yet there is much more to be done,” Mr Chester said.
“By building better roads we can improve lives and save lives.”
The approved projects in Lakes Entrance are:
• 1.9km section of Ostlers Road between Capes Road and Colquhoun Road at Lakes Entrance: $210,000 to install guide posts, chevron alignment markers, hazard markers and advanced warning signs, centreline and edge line marking, centreline raised reflective pavement markers and kerb outstand and improve skid resistance; and,
• 5.5km section of Scriveners Road from Armstrong Track to Colquhoun Road at Lakes Entrance: $147,000 to install guide posts, chevron alignment markers and advanced warning signs, install culvert extensions and driveable endwalls, widen formation and remove vegetation.
The Coalition has provided record funding for the Roads to Recovery and Black Spot programs.
The Black Spot Program allows anyone to make a submission for a safety upgrade to a road or intersection in their local area.
For more information on the Australian Government’s Black Spot Programme, or to nominate a black spot, visit http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots/
CAPTION: Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester with East Gippsland Shire Council Director Chris Waites at the intersection of Capes Rd and Ostlers Rd Lakes Entrance. The Federal Government will also fund safety upgrades on Scriveners Road.
