71 projects will be funded for safety upgrades across Queensland’s state-controlled road network to address identified road safety issues that contribute to vehicle crashes.
Under the Road Safety Program, the Australian Government has committed $255.7 million, with the Queensland Government providing joint funding of $255.7 million, sourced through the Camera Detected Offence Program, bringing the total investment to $511.5 million.
Of this $511.5 million, $434.2 million has been earmarked for projects in regional and rural Queensland, important in a state with a decentralised population.
The funding provided by the Australian and Queensland governments will deliver new road safety upgrades and jobs across Queensland. Indigenous and local governments will be engaged to ensure that cultural heritage, knowledge and community expectations are considered, ensuring community support as well as expediting delivery timeframes.
The works are required to be completed by 30 June 2025, improving road safety and supporting an average of 700 jobs in Queensland over the life of the program.
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish said the funding would make a difference to road safety outcomes for Queenslanders across the breadth of the state.
“Making our roads safer is a critical component of our work to reduce road trauma and move towards achieving the targets outlined in the National Road Safety Strategy of reducing fatalities by 50 percent and serious injuries by 30 percent by 2031 on our roads.
“Tragically, 277 lives were lost on Queensland roads last year, the third highest total in 10 years. The Queensland government is committed to bringing down the number of lives lost of our roads.
“The projects being delivered will see intersections with crash history made safer, roads widened and more gravel roads sealed.
“These types of projects play an important part in supporting our industries right across Queensland, in particular those industries that rely on our regional roads to transport goods and give new opportunities for businesses, creating more jobs across the state.”
More information about the Australian Government’s Road Safety Program can be found here.