The Albanese Labor Government continues to invest in bridge and road safety upgrades across regional and rural Australia, with over $45 million flowing to 19 high-priority projects.
From Clarence Valley in New South Wales, Gladstone in Queensland, through to Port Hedland in Western Australia, the Government will partner with local councils to deliver projects in fast-growing communities and in areas that house major production hubs.
Over $25 million will be shared by 14 projects under the Bridges Renewal Program (BRP), with over $20 million supporting five projects under the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP).
The BRP supports upgrading old and worn timber bridges to modern structures that can take more weight, are better equipped for major weather events, and are safer for both vehicles and pedestrians.
The latest BRP projects include:
- Over $2.7 million to replace Comobella Bridge over Mitchell's Creek at Comobella outside of Dubbo with a concrete structure
- More than $1.8 million towards the reconstruction and widening of Appila Spring Bridge at Appila in South Australia
- Over $1.6 million to replace the culvert on Almurta Glen Forbes Road at Almurta in Victoria.
The HVSPP supports improvements to roads used in freight routes, including the installation of intersections, widening roads, sealing roads and installing safety barriers - to increase the productivity and safety of heavy vehicle operations.
The latest HVSPP projects include:
- $5 million towards the upgrade of two existing causeways and one new causeway at three locations on Malbon-Selwyn Road at Cloncurry in Queensland
- $5 million to reconstruct and widen around 6 kilometres of Mount William Road at Yalla-Y-Poora in Victoria
- $5 million to upgrade Route 1 of the Wedgefield road network at Wedgefield in Western Australia, including widening and sealing approximately 580 metres of road, installing precast box culverts to mitigate flooding, and pavement upgrades.
The BRP and HVSPP will consolidate into the Safer Local Road and Infrastructure Program (SLRIP) from 1 July 2024 - with an additional $50 million to be added to the new program.
