In addition to the new major projects being financed from the Building Australia Fund, work will start in 2009-10 on the following projects being delivered under the existing $26.7 billion Nation Building Program, including:

• Bruce Highway - Cooroy to Curra (Section B) Duplication in Queensland: construction is expected to commence in 2009 and is scheduled for completion by 2012. Total Federal investment will be $488.0 million - this is in addition to the $200 million we have already commited toward the Cooroy to Curra section.


• Douglas Arterial duplication in Townsville, Queensland: construction is expected to commence in 2009 and is scheduled for completion by 2012. Total Federal investment will be $55 million.


• Traralgon to Sale duplication in Victoria - construction is expected to commence in 2009 and is scheduled for completion by 2014. Total Federal investment will be $140 million.


• Mandurah Entrance Road in Perth, West Australia: construction is expected to commence in 2009 and is scheduled for completion by 2010. Total Federal investment will be $65 million.


• Banora Point upgrade on the Pacific Highway in New South Wales: construction is expected to commence in 2009 and is scheduled for completion by 2012. Total Federal investment will be $210 million.


• Tarcutta Bypass on the Hume Highway in New South Wales: scheduled to start in 2009 and to finish in 2011. Total Federal investment will be $225 million.

The Program will also fund initiatives designed to improve road safety:

• $119.5 million to eliminate 439 dangerous black spots on local roads - double last year's allocation;


• $100 million to continue to install boom gates and other safety measures at 292 high risk level crossings - double last year's allocation; and


• $20 million to address the lack of safe, modern roadside facilities for truck drivers, including new and refurbished rest stops, parking bays and decoupling areas.

Councils will receive a record annual allocation of $940 million from the Program to help them maintain and upgrade the 657,000 kilometres of road under their control.

As well as putting in place the modern, well-planned road infrastructure vital to Australia's long term prosperity, our record road investment program will support jobs and provide an immediate stimulus to local economies.

Importantly, it will also complement the much greater investment we are making in rail, with the aim of building a single, truly integrated transport system.

The Rudd Labor Government is preparing Australia for an even more global and mobile world. We understand that well designed transport infrastructure contributes to higher productivity and rising living standards.

That's why we are investing so much with such urgency.