Two Fleurieu roads will benefit from the federal government’s Black Spot funding program for 2023-24.

The Main Road/McMurtrie Road intersection in McLaren Vale and a section of Wellington Road in Highland Valley are two of the 17 dangerous crash sites identified as priorities in South Australia.

The program funds safety measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at locations where a number of serious crashes are known to have occurred, or are at risk of occurring.

The federal government has committed $5.9 million to fully fund upgrades in the 17 projects, which aim to reduce serious injuries and deaths on the state’s roads.

Teardrop-shaped median islands will be installed at the intersection of Main Road, Johnston Road and McMurtrie Road in McLaren Vale, with funding of $737, 500 allocated.

A 3.1km section of Wellington Road, south east of Red Creek Road, will receive $781,000 worth of shoulder sealing, curve widening and other upgrades.

Black Spot Consultative Panels provide the opportunity for stakeholders to have a say in the project selection process, and ensure that nominations of the highest priority and importance to the local community are recommended for approval.

The SA consultative panel includes representatives from the South Australian Road Transport Association, South Australian Freight Council Inc, Traffic Management Association of Australia, Bicycle SA, SA Police, Royal Automobile Association of SA, Local Government Association of SA and the SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport.

Carol Brown, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, says the federal government is committed to building safer roads, as it works towards Vision Zero: no deaths on Australian roads by 2050.

“We have committed $110 million per year to the Black Spot Program to work with state, territory and local governments to improve road safety across the nation.

“These 17 new projects in SA are another example of our commitment to keeping Australians safe on our roads, reducing the devastating impacts of road trauma while supporting local jobs and communities.” 

Chair of the South Australia Black Spot Consultative Panel Tony Zappia MP says this investment in Black Spot projects will deliver safer roads throughout the state.

“The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics has found that Black Spot projects reduce the number of crashes causing death and injury by 30 per cent on average.

For more information on the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program, or to nominate a black spot, visit the website. A full list of funded projects is also available online.