THREE local roads with a history of serious crashes are set for safety improvements after Port Stephens Council secured $2.4 million in Black Spot funding.
Frost Road at Anna Bay, Newline Road at East Seaham and Lemon Tree Passage Road at Salt Ash will all receive upgrades through the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program.
Crash records played a major part in deciding where the money would go, the council’s Assets Section Manager, John Maretich said.
“The locations were identified by analysing historical crash records and data-driven crash clusters over five years in partnership with Transport for NSW,” he said.
“These specific sites were targeted because they meet the eligibility criteria regarding serious and fatal crash histories, ensuring funding goes exactly where it is needed most to protect lives.”
Frost Road at Anna Bay will receive $689,800 for upgrades between Nelson Bay Road and Gan Gan Road.
Work will include widening the road shoulders, relocating power poles, installing safety barriers, and improving sight distances around driveways.
Newline Road at East Seaham will receive the biggest share, with $995,000 going towards improvements along a 2.9km section. The work will include wider shoulders, roadside barriers and audio-tactile line marking, also known as rumble strips.
Another $715,150 will be spent on Lemon Tree Passage Road at Salt Ash, between Rookes Road North and Rookes Road South.
Shoulder widening and a flexible safety barrier will be among the improvements.
The work would introduce proven safety measures to help protect road users.
“The upgrades will introduce effective, proven infrastructure treatments to protect local road users, including road shoulder widening, flexible safety barriers, and audio-tactile line marking,” Mr Maretich said.
The three projects are now moving into the detailed design stage, with the council hoping to make the most of the work while crews are eventually on site.
“Council is working proactively to progress the detailed design phases this financial year and will continue to investigate additional external grants to maximise the benefits for local motorists while crews are on-site,” Mr Maretich added.
By Althea GUINSBERG
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