FOUR major road safety projects will be implemented in Port Stephens this financial year, thanks to successful funding applications under the Federal Black Spot Program and the NSW Government Safer Roads Program.

The Black Spot Program is part of the federal government’s commitment to reducing crashes on Australian roads, with projects selected based on the number and nature of incidents recorded at each location.

Council crews will undertake improvement projects at Glen Oak, Salamander Bay, Shoal Bay and Tanilba Bay.

Civil Projects Engineer, Rick Mackenzie said the programs aim to improve identified problem areas with targeted safety upgrades.

“Council works closely with the Roads and Maritime Service (RMS) and local police to identify recurring themes in traffic incidents as well as investigating how infrastructure improvements can meet the needs of the community.

“Our team has worked hard to develop applications and design treatments, all aimed at improving public safety,” he said.

The proposed works identified as blackspots have been recently approved by the Federal Department of Roads and Infrastructure, administered by the NSW RMS.

Mr Mackenzie said detailed designs are being carried out and works expected to begin shortly.

“With the recent approval, we’re now able to begin the necessary design and planning work to have each of these projects completed this financial year.

“We’ll be coordinating works around the busy holiday period and be communicating directly with businesses and residents in the immediate area of the works,” he said.

Projects funded under the Federal Black Spot Program:

• Glen Oak – shoulder widening along a section of Clarencetown Road just north of the Timber Tops intersection.
• Salamander Bay – the provision of an acceleration lane and improvements to the delineation of the intersection of Salamander Way and Town Centre Circuit.
• Shoal Bay – the installation of traffic lights at the intersection of Shoal Bay Road and Government Road along with a new raised pedestrian crossing near the shopping precinct (rescheduled from 2015/16 due to revised funding application).

Projects funded under the NSW Government Safer Roads Program:

• Tanilba Bay – the construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of Avenue of the Allies and Lemon Tree Passage Road.

More information on these projects is available on the Nation Building Program website atwww.nationbuildingprogram.gov.au.

For more information on these works or other projects, please contact Port Stephens Council on 4980 0255.