In this Budget, the Rudd Labor Government is investing over $1.5 billion in New South Wales and ACT road and rail infrastructure - an investment that will support local jobs and local businesses during the current global recession.

All up, the 2009-10 Budget delivers an increase in federal funding of $594 million, or 64 per cent, over the 2008-09 Budget for New South Wales and ACT road and rail projects.

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

During 2009-10, work will start on a range of major road and rail projects including:

• Tarcutta Bypass on the Hume Highway - construction is expected to commence in 2009 and is scheduled for completion in 2011.


• Woomargama Bypass on the Hume Highway - construction is expected to commence in 2009 and is scheduled for completion in 2011.


• Banora Point upgrade on the Pacific Highway - construction is expected to commence in 2009 and is scheduled for completion in 2012.


• Bulahdelah Bypass on the Pacific Highway - construction expected to commence in 2009 and is scheduled for completion in 2012.


• Duplication of the Herons Creek to Stills Road section of the Pacific Highway - construction is expected to commence in 2010 and is scheduled for completion in 2011.


• Upgrade of the Woodford to Hazelbrook section of the Great Western Highway - construction is expected to commence in 2009 and is scheduled for completion in 2012.


• Upgrade of the Wentworth Falls East section of the Great Western Highway - construction is expected to commence in 2009 and is scheduled for completion in 2012.


• Intersection of Fairbairn Avenue and alignment of the Majura Parkway and Federal Highway - a project which forms part of the Canberra Airport Precinct upgrade.


• Safety improvements to the Barton Highway - construction is expected to commence in 2009 and is scheduled for completion in 2012.

At the other end of the construction cycle, the following major projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2009-10:

• F3 Widening, Stages 2 and 3.


• Accelerated Southern Hume Duplication Project.


• Hume Highway, Coolac Bypass.


• New England Highway, Weakleys Drive Interchange.


• Pacific Highway, Karuah to Bulahdelah Sections 2 & 3.


• Pacific Highway, Coopernook to Herons Creek.

On top of the additional money for upgrading poorly designed and congested sections of the road network, we are funding a range of initiatives designed to improve road safety:

• $40.2 million to eliminate 136 dangerous black spots on local roads;


• $28.5 million to continue installing boom gates and other safety measures at 55 high risk level crossings;


• $6.5 million to address the lack of safe, modern roadside facilities for truck drivers, including new and refurbished rest stops, parking bays and decoupling areas.

Our investment doesn't stop there.

The Australian Government will provide $293.1 million to help maintain and upgrade local roads in NSW and the ACT. Much of this funding will be paid to local councils.

The Government is working to strengthen the Australian economy during this global recession. By developing well designed transport networks we are contributing to higher productivity and rising living standards.

That's why the Government is investing so much with such urgency.

Funding for the programs and projects listed above is being delivered under the Rudd Labor Government's six year, $26.7 billion Nation Building Program to which the New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory governments have signed up.