McGowan Government welcomes an additional $142 million for regional road safety

The McGowan Government has today welcomed the additional $142 million allocated in the Federal Budget for the Regional Road Safety Program. This commitment is allocated in the 2022-23 financial year to enable the program to continue at record levels.

This builds on the jointly funded $455 million program, currently being rolled out across Western Australia, which will see around 7,000 kilometres of roads upgraded with low cost safety treatments.

Each year more than 100 people die on country roads and, of these, around 60 are the result of single vehicle run-off road crashes.

This funding is designed to address that type of tragedy, through the installation of audible edge lines and the sealing of road shoulders. 

Work is already underway on delivering these treatments, with the $455 million worth of upgrades anticipated to be completed by July 2022.

The additional $142 million will enable works to continue into 2023, supporting local jobs.

Work is also underway to deliver the McGowan Government’s election commitment of an additional $50 million towards the road safety program.

Almost two years ago, the McGowan Government prepared a business case for this road safety investment in WA and presented it to the Commonwealth Government.

The McGowan Government also welcomes the support from stakeholders including the RAC, Transport Workers’ Union and Western Roads Federation.

The McGowan Government has a number of major regional road projects underway across WA, including the Bunbury Outer Ring Road, Albany Ring Road and upgrades to Great Northern Highway in the Kimberley region.

As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

“I’m pleased the Commonwealth has allocated an additional $142 million towards the Regional Road Safety Program in this year’s Federal Budget.

“This builds on the $455 million jointly funded program we are currently rolling out across Western Australia.  

“This will build on the 7,000 kilometres of regional roads that are currently having low cost treatments applied, to help prevent run-off road crashes and improve safety.

“We have a number of major regional road projects underway across the regions, from the Albany Ring Road in the south, to upgrades to Great Northern Highway in the Kimberley.”