The WA Government has secured record funding for regional road safety, with $455 million committed to the Regional Road Safety Program – and up to 7,000 kilometres of road may benefit.
Yesterday, the State Government announced it would allocate a further $71 million on top of a Commonwealth contribution of $284 million announced in the Federal Budget
As part of the Regional Road Safety Program, an initial $100 million partnership was established earlier this year to upgrade 1,400 kilometres of regional roads across Western Australia.
“We now have $455 million allocated to upgrading regional roads all across our State over the next two years,” said WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti.
“Our Government was instrumental in getting this program on the national agenda and I want to thank the Commonwealth Government for their contribution.”
With the additional $355 million allocated, up to 7,000 kilometres of regional roads will be treated in total.
Expected to be rolled out by mid-2022, these treatments will include sealing existing unsealed road shoulders and installing audible lines to warn drivers who veer out of their lane.
“Experience has shown the installation of audible edge lines and sealed shoulders can reduce road trauma by up to 60 per cent,” said WA Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts.
“Another thing that experience has shown is that these holiday times are the most dangerous times on our roads and so I ask everyone to take extra care at this time.”