The Rudd Labor Government will invest $300,000 to install a dedicated left turn lane on Chung Wah Terrace in Palmerston, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese and the Member for Solomon, Damian Hale, announced today.

Mr Hale was the Chair of the NT Black Spots Assessment Panel which made the recommendation to fund this project. The panel consists of independent road safety experts from the Australian Trucking Association of NT, Local Government Association of NT and the Automobile Association of NT.

Mr Albanese said that the project had been funded under the 2009-10 component of the Black Spots program.

“It builds on $1 million that we have already provided to fix black spots in the Top End this year as part of the Rudd Labor Government’s Economic Stimulus Plan.

“The Rudd Labor Government is committed to improving road safety in Palmerston at the same time as supporting construction jobs in the Top End economy.”

Mr Hale said that as a Palmerston resident, he was pleased to see this much-needed investment in Palmerston’s roads.

“Everyone in Palmerston knows how dangerous this Chung Wah Terrace intersection has become with our growing population.

“The Rudd Government’s Black Spot program has a proven track record of saving lives.

“An evaluation of the program has shown that it prevented at least 32 fatalities and more than 1,500 serious injuries in its first three years.

“It also returns around $14 for every $1 invested by reducing the number and cost of crashes.

“This is a great outcome for local communities who will benefit from this road safety investment and we look forward to safer local roads for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians,” Mr Hale said.

Anyone can suggest a location or a section of road for black spot funding using a nomination form that can be downloaded from www.nationbuildingprogram.gov.au.