Member for Wright Scott Buchholz and Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Steve Jones today announced funding of $240, 000 to fix a significant dangerous road black spot in Plainland.
The approved project is:
- $240,000 has been allocated to reconstruct earth batter to improve sight distance, upgrade left turn lanes, construct a traffic island and new line markings at the Gehrke Road, Otto Road and Mountain Drive Road intersection.
Scott Buchholz, Federal Member for Wright said the project is important for the local community who have long voiced concerns on the safety of the dangerous cross roads.
In my regular correspondence with residents from Plainland and the surrounding suburbs this stretch of road has frequently come up as one of the major issues in the local community. Even as recently as last week the community was rocked by a very severe traffic accident just nearby,
I am very happy that an upgrade is being made in the interest of safety for the local motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. My hope is that this will save lives and reduce road trauma, which we have seen too often around the area said Mr Buchholz.
Steve Jones, Lockyer Valley Mayor said he welcomed the Commonwealth funding to help improve safety at this important intersection.
Locals will know the intersections of Gehrke, Otto and Mountain Drive Roads at Plainland as a spot where accidents have happened in the past and an intersection that needs serious improvements,
Council certainly welcomes the $240,000 in Black Spot funding to help improve safety at the intersection and thanks Federal member for Wright Scott Buchholz for his assistance in securing the money, Mayor Jones said.
This project was recommended by a panel of independent road safety experts and will be delivered during the course of the coming financial year (2014-15).
However, Mr Buchholz was quick to point out that the Black Spot Programme relies on community recommendations for project consideration.
Anyone can suggest an intersection or stretch of road they believe should be considered for a safety upgrade, and I strongly encourage all councils and individuals to submit their nominations, Mr Buchholz said. Further information and nomination forms can be downloaded from: http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots/index.aspx
A recent evaluation of the programme found that fatal and casualty crashes are reduced at treated sites by 30%, equalling one life per year for every 84 projects.
This programme delivers genuine results by saving lives and returning around $7.70 for every $1 invested by reducing the number and cost of road crashes.