The Tasmanian Liberal Government is working hard to improve road safety across Tasmania as part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.
We’re very pleased to confirm that another $4.7 million is going to nearly 40 projects around Tasmania to improve safety on local and rural roads.
The funding comes from the latest rounds of the Vulnerable Road User Program (VRUP) and the Safer Rural Roads Program (SRRP), both part of our Towards Zero Action Plan 2020-2024.
Minister for Transport, Eric Abetz, said the programs provided councils with funding to build usually simple infrastructure works to protect vulnerable road users and improve safety at spots of identified risk.
“This round saw submissions received from 19 different councils, with each council having at least one successful application,” Mr Abetz said.
“The wide range of successful councils will allow for road safety improvements to be spread across Tasmania.
“Including co-contributions from councils, the projects see a total investment of $8.2 million to deliver infrastructure treatments, across 38 different projects,” he said.
Projects funded through the VRUP include pedestrian refuges, pedestrian crossings and shared paths and through the SRRP include pavement widening, signage and guideposts.
"This round will see pedestrian refuges on King George V Avenue in Glenorchy and Penna Road in Midway Point, as well as pedestrian crossings on Mary Street in Cygnet and Prossers Forest Road in Ravenswood,” Mr Abetz said.
Huon Road in South Hobart will be treated with shoulder sealing, and footpaths will be built on Reeve Street in Campania, Swanwick Road in Coles Bay and here on the Channel Highway in Snug.
“Since their commencement, these programs have assisted councils to deliver more than 270 road safety projects, worth over $40 million,” Mr Abetz said.
“This latest funding demonstrates our ongoing commitment to road safety, saving lives and reducing serious injuries on our roads.”