RAC has welcomed the $1.1 billion funding boost for transport projects across Western Australia but the future of the Regional Road Safety Improvement Program remains uncertain.
RAC General Manager Corporate Affairs Will Golsby said it is pleasing to see that the Federal Budget will deliver $1.1 billion towards transport projects across metropolitan and regional WA.
“We welcome additional Federal investment to fast-track important road and rail projects across WA,” Mr Golsby said.
“This funding will be a significant boost to relieve congestion on our network, with traffic volumes on Perth’s main roads now up to 16 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels.
“It’s also encouraging to see projects like the Canning Bridge bus interchange recognised as a priority — it was nominated by RAC members as one of the ‘riskiest’ roads in Perth last year because of its confusing layout and lack of separation between lanes of traffic."
The Federal Budget has outlined funding for some major regional road projects, including $16 million for works on Cape Leveque in the Kimberley and another $16 million for the Goldfields Highway between Wiluna and Meekatharra.
Mr Golsby said the budget has also confirmed one year of federal funding towards the delivery of the Regional Road Safety Improvement Program.
“It is pleasing that the first year of the Regional Road Safety Improvement Program has been jointly funded by both the State and Federal Governments, but the delivery of the full program of works currently remains uncertain.
“The Regional Road Safety Improvement Program is a critical life-saving, job creating, stimulus package for WA."
State Government modelling has demonstrated that, if fully funded, the Program is expected to:
- Save more than 2,100 people from being killed or seriously injured;
- Reduce regional road trauma by 60 per cent;
- Create more than 4,500 jobs;
- Upgrade more than 17,000 kilometres of WA’s regional road network; and
- Reduce the financial cost of road trauma currently estimated to be as much as $2 billion per annum in WA.
RAC has also previously welcomed funding allocated to projects as part of the Perth Greater CBD Transport Plan, including initiatives to make it easier and more enjoyable to walk and cycle such as the Swan River Causeway Bridge linking East Perth with Victoria Park.
To read RAC’s Federal Budget Submission, or for more information on the Regional Road Safety Improvement Program, please visit our website.
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Media contact: Caitlin Barr, 0401 703 719 or media@rac.com.au
