Cairns motorists received a major road safety boost today with the Morrison Government announcing it will invest $709,000 towards upgrading the intersection of Upward and Draper Streets at Parramatta Park.
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said community input was critical to identifying key black spots across Cairns and Far North Queensland.
He said Cairns Regional Council had nominated the intersection at Draper and Upward Streets for federal black spot funding.
“Road crashes place major emotional and economic strains on all affected communities but particularly the families and friends of the victims,” Mr Entsch said.
“I am pleased to see this significant intersection upgrade will be delivered under the 2021–22 Black Spot Program funding round.
“The upgrades will include constructing a new roundabout, provide Bicycle Awareness Zones, provide on-road-off-road transition and upgrade street lighting.
“None of these projects would be delivered without the community’s vital input and I encourage all residents and motorists in the region to nominate projects for future funding rounds.”
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the State would receive $20.8 million under the Black Spot Program’s 2021–22 funding round.
“This major investment is part of the Australian Government’s commitment to building safer roads right across the nation,” Mr McCormack said.
“The Black Spot Program funds safety measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at locations where a number of serious crashes are known to have occurred.”
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said the 67 Black Spot projects across Queensland would make an important contribution towards reducing serious injuries and deaths on Queensland roads and built on previous investments in the state.
“This government is investing in road safety right across the nation to ensure Australians get home sooner and safer, as even one death or one serious injury crash on our roads is one too many,” Mr Buchholz said.
“This new funding will see total investment through the Black Spot Program in Queensland rise to $189.2 million, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to improving road safety.”
The Australian Government has committed $1.1 billion to the Black Spot Program from 2013–14 to 2023–24 to improve road safety across the nation.
For more information on the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program, or to nominate a black spot, visit investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots.
