26 May 2020

Motorists will soon benefit from a suite of safety measures rolling out across the Orange electorate with more than $16 million to be invested into 10 projects, through round three of the NSW Government’s Safer Roads Program.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said safety barriers, rumble strips and wide centrelines were some of the measures that would help keep motorists safe.

“These are projects designed to save lives. We are committed to reducing the state’s road toll and the measures we are investing in right across NSW will help to prevent the loss of more than 1500 lives and serious injuries on our roads in the next 15 years,” Mr Toole said.

“This investment will see $217 million injected into 285 regional projects through Saving Lives on Country Roads, and $41 million into 98 projects through Liveable and Safe Urban Communities for metropolitan NSW.”

Member of the Legislative Council Sam Farraway said Orange would welcome six new projects through the Safer Roads program, on top of four currently under way, which showed the NSW Government’s ongoing commitment to regional communities.

“We know targeted projects can make a real difference to local communities like Orange. We are serious about saving lives on local roads, and all seven projects will help ensure that someone who sets out on a journey returns home,” Mr Farraway said.

Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said he was pleased the NSW Government had committed $1.25 million in the next financial year to projects to improve the safety of roads in the Orange Local Government Area (LGA).

“Council staff use data about locations where there is a history of traffic crashes to apply for funding,” Cr Kidd said.

“That ensures the money is spent at places where it’s needed.”

The Safer Roads Program is a five-year program, with more than $300 million already spent in the past two years to deliver 113 kilometres of barriers, 3,000 kilometres of rumble strips and 2,800 kilometres of wide centreline across the state.

 

New projects receiving Safer Roads funding next financial year

Project description	Funding amount
Byng and McLachlan Street roundabout: Install reflective pavement markers and transverse line marking.	$20,000
Phoenix Mine Road: Widen the road including shoulders to be up to 10 metres across, including adding up to 2.5 metres of shoulder to curves and install flexible roadside barrier.	$335,000
Ophir Road approximately 900m from Bridge 1 to Bridge 2 near Banjo Paterson Way: Install flexible roadside barrier and widen the road shoulder.	$510,000
Intersection of Kearneys Drive and Matthews Avenue: Upgrade street lighting at intersection. Move stop signs and give-way lines forward using kerb extensions.	$110, 000
Intersection of Anson and Margaret Street: Move stop signs and give-way lines forward using kerb extensions. Install pedestrian refuge islands.	$130,000
Hill and Casey Street: Upgrade street lighting at intersection. Move stop signs and give-way lines forward using kerb extensions. Install pedestrian refuge islands on Hill Street.	$150,000

Existing projects receiving Safer Roads additional funding next financial year

Project description	Funding amount
Escort Way and Henry Parkes Way, from Orange to Parkes: Shoulder widening, installation of roadside barriers and clearzone and delineation improvements.	$6 million
Mitchell Highway, from Orange to Wellington: Install wire rope barriers, improve shoulder seal and install rumble strips along the centre line	$2.5 million
Mitchell Highway, from Orange to Wellington: Install wire rope barriers, improve shoulder seal and install rumble strips along the centre line	$5.45 million
Ophir Road: Widen shoulders and install roadside barriers	$755,000