The McGowan Government has announced further seven run-off road projects to improve safety on sections of regional roads.
The further seven projects, worth $17.5 million, have been identified as presenting a higher risk for run-off crashes. The latest allocation brings the State Government’s 2019-20 investment in regional run-off roads to $42.5 million.
Each of the latest seven projects have been funded from the Road Trauma Trust Account (RTTA) and will upgrade appro 60 kilometres of regional road.
Projects have been identified and prioritised based on having an above average single vehicle run-off road crash risk using Main Roads modelling.
Road safety treatments to be carried out include road widening, shoulder sealing and the installation of safety barriers, audible lines and pavement markings.
Construction of the projects is scheduled to begin this financial year and include roads in the Great Southern, South-West, Goldfields-Esperance, Mid-West, Wheatbelt and Pilbara regions.
The latest allocation of $17.5 million complements other works underway this financial year to mitigate single vehicle run-off road crashes.
This year the McGowan Government has committed a further $25 million for shoulder widening and audible edge lines along a number of key regional routes.
These works – already underway or nearing completion – include upgrades to Indian Ocean Drive, Great Eastern Highway, Brookton Highway, South Western Highway, Pinjarra-Williams Road and Collie-Lake King Road.
The McGowan Government continues to seek a funding partnership with the Federal Government to accelerate delivery of the Regional Road Safety Program.
The proposed partnership would upgrade 17,000 kilometres of regional road and drastically reduce regional road trauma. It would be delivered over nine years at a cost of a total of $100 million a year.
A Commonwealth contribution of 80 per cent – in line with many other joint infrastructure projects – would be more than covered if the Federal Government redirected the $1.2 billion it has reserved for the flawed Perth Freight Link, which is not proceeding.
In 2017, 46 people were killed and 280 people were seriously injured in run-off road crashes in regional Western Australia.
The RTTA receives 100 per cent of revenue from speed and red light camera infringements to invest in initiatives which deliver a road safety benefit.
As stated by Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts:
“We know that single vehicle run-off crashes are one of the biggest causes of fatal and serious injury crashes in regional Western Australia.
“We’re seeing more and more crashes caused by simple errors of judgement or moments of inattention.
“Safety treatments like widening the road, installing safety barriers and sealing the shoulders will create a safer environment on those high-risk roads.
“Every year we devote a significant portion of the RTTA budget for safety treatments to our regional roads and we are making steady progress.
“We could significantly expand these works with the implementation of a Federal-State partnership.
“Minister Saffioti and I have written to the Federal Transport Minister and urge him to allocate this much needed funding.
“The McGowan Government is focused on reducing road trauma and saving lives by providing a stronger police presence on our roads, making safety improvements and delivering effective community education campaigns to change driver behaviour.”
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“We have dedicated these funds to sections of road where modelling shows it will have the greatest influence on road safety.
“This is part of the McGowan Government’s record investment in regional roads, with more than $2 billion allocated in the last Budget.
“These safety upgrades will work with our other major road projects across the State to keep motorists safe and provide a more efficient regional network.
“This latest investment is in addition to the $25 million already invested in improving roads with high risk of run-off crashes in regional areas.”
Regional Run-Off Road Crashes program projects scheduled to begin in 2019-20 include:
| Project | RTTA Budget | Work description |
| Albany Highway, Kojonup to Balgarup Road Great Southern | $3,850,000 | Widen road to 11m with sealed shoulders to 2m Install safety barriers at selected locations Install pavement marking, audible lines and minor intersection treatments |
| Pinjarra-Williams Road, Dwellingup to Murray Shire Boundary South-West | $1,200,000 | Widen road to 11m with 2m sealed shoulders Improve clear zone Install pavement markings and audible lines |
| Great Eastern Highway (West of Anzac Drive) Goldfields-Esperance | $3,800,000 | Widen road to 11m with 2m sealed shoulders Install pavement markings and audible lines |
| Collie-Lake King Road, Wagin to Dumbleyung Wheatbelt | $1,146,000 | Widen road to 9m with 1m sealed shoulders Install pavement markings and audible lines |
| North West Coastal Highway Pilbara | $2,000,000 | Widen to 11m with 2m sealed shoulders Improve clear zone Install safety barriers at selected locations Install pavement markings and audible lines |
| Brand Highway, Regans Ford Mid-West | $2,500,000 | Widen to 9m with 1m sealed shoulders Install pavement markings and audible lines |
| Indian Ocean Drive, Lancelin to Cervantes Mid-West | $345,000 | Install audible lines |
| Project development | $2,700,000 | Development activities such as environmental approvals |
