The NSW Government has announced a further $45 million to be provided to council-nominated road safety projects across regional areas, including projects at Armidale and Tamworth.
The Towards Zero Safer Roads Program is a road safety infrastructure upgrade and speed management program aimed at delivering sustainable and long-term reductions in road trauma across the NSW road network by addressing high risk locations.
$4.25 million has been awarded to Armidale Regional Council to improve safety on Rockvale Road north of town. Safety improvements include road realignment and installation of roadside safety barrier on Rockvale Road at Aberfoyle.
Meanwhile Tamworth Regional Council has received a comparatively small parcel of funds, $196,643, for safety improvements including median upgrades on Robert Street at South Tamworth.
“Even though regional NSW only makes up a third of the NSW population, sadly two thirds of deaths on our roads happen on country roads,” Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said.
“I am pleased to say 23 regional council-nominated projects have secured funding under this round of funding which will result in much needed infrastructure for regional NSW.
“This investment will go a long way to ensure everyone gets home safely every time to their loved ones.”
The program aligns with the Future Transport Strategy vision to achieve zero road trauma by 2050 and is a cornerstone of the 2026 Road Safety Action Plan, which aims to halve fatalities and reduce serious injuries by 30 per cent on NSW roads by 2030.
The program builds on the success of the previous Safer Roads Program, which is estimated to save up to 1,550 serious injuries and lives over the lifetime of the program.
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