Transport Minster announces more than $2 million commitment to Mid West roads to improve black spots

Two locations in the Mid West and Gascoyne will receive funding as part of the State Government’s Black Spot program, upgrading the safety of roads across the region. The Government allocated $2 million to widen and seal shoulders on the Northampton Kalbarri Road in the Shire of Northampton. Carnarvon’s Speedway Road will also get $82,000 to put towards planning and development works to widen and realign the road, and improve sight distance at the turn-off to a waste facility in the Shire. More than 73 locations across WA will be upgraded, totalling $19.34m to the initiative which will cover 35 regional locations. To date, the regional road safety program has seen more than 7000km of the regional road network upgraded with safety treatments like audible edge lines and sealed shoulders, with 8500km expected to be complete by mid-2024. As of September 26, WA has recorded 112 fatal road accidents so far this year, including 56 in Perth and 56 in regional WA. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said: “Our Government understands the challenge of road safety requires ongoing effort and investments, which is why we continue to fund important projects through the State Black Spot Program.” The funding for regional black spots comes on top of the $825m that has been invested in the Regional Road Safety Program since 2020.