Work will start immediately on installing new boom gates and other safety measures at 66 high-risk rail level crossings around Queensland.

Funding for these safety projects will come from the Rudd Labor Government’s $150 million Boom Gates for Rail Crossings Program – a key element of our $42 billion Nation Building and Jobs Plan.

All up, we’ve allocated $42.7 million to Queensland’s 66 projects. Details of the approved projects are attached.

Tragically, about 100 accidents occur at rail crossings every year. Last year alone there were 18 collisions, 5 fatalities and 4 serious injuries at level crossings in Queensland.

The investment we are making will not only improve road safety but also support local jobs and local businesses during the current global recession.

Never before has the Federal Government had a program dedicated to improving safety and preventing accidents at level crossings.

Nationally, the Boom Gates for Rail Crossings Program will provide $50 million in 2008/09 and a further $100 million in 2009/10 for the installation of boom gates and other safety measures at over 200 level crossings.

The projects were identified by the Queensland Government using a model which weighed the length of track through the state against the number of crashes.

The new boom gates and other safety measures are part our $26.4 billion Nation Building Program which will deliver and maintain vital road and rail infrastructure in every region of Australia. Of this funding, $6.5 billion will be invested in Queensland – almost double what the previous government spent in the State.