Work will start immediately on installing new boom gates and other safety measures at 34 high risk level rail crossings around South Australia.

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 $13.6 million to South Australia’s 34 projects. Details of the approved projects are attached.

While South Australia suffered no fatalities or serious accidents at level crossings last year, there is no room for complacency. That’s why I’m announcing this extra investment in safety measures at the State’s level crossings.

Tragically, about 100 accidents occur at rail crossings every year.

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 announced today were identified by the South Australia Government using a model that takes into account factors such as road and rail traffic volumes, crash history, visibility for motorists and train drivers, and the number of rail tracks at the crossing.

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, $1.7 billion will be invested in South Australia – almost double what the previous government spent in the State.