The 2011-12 Budget continues the rollout of the Gillard Labor Government’s record capital works program which is renewing and expanding New South Wales’ road and rail infrastructure.

In this Budget, investment over the six-year life of the existing Nation Building Program (2008-09 to 2013-14) will increase by $339 million. This brings our total transport related infrastructure investment in the state to a record $12.1 billion.

This coming financial year alone, we will be providing $2.4 billion to start, progress or complete a long list of large and smaller scale projects.

The new funding allocated in the 2011-12 Budget will be used to:

• Further accelerate the duplication of the Pacific Highway, with an extra $1 billion to complete all the remaining planning along those sections where this has not already occurred as well as allow more construction to commence, including on the Frederickton to Eungai section (subject to a matching financial contribution from the NSW Government);

• Undertake the Scone Level Crossing Study – 2010 Election Commitment; planning to commence in 2011-12 with funding to come from the Regional Infrastructure Fund;

• Commission the Richmond Bridge Approaches Congestion Study – 2010 Election Commitment, with work to commence in 2011-12 using funding from within the allocation for the existing Nation Building Program;

• Commence planning work in 2011-12 on the Tenterfield Bypass and Bolivia Hill Upgrade along the New England Highway, with funding from within the allocation for the existing Nation Building Program.

In addition, work will start on the following major projects during the coming financial year (2011-12):

• Improving the freight rail network through Sydney’s northern suburbs to Newcastle – Federal contribution: $840 million;

• Duplicating the Pacific Highway between Tintenbar and Ewingsdale – Federal contribution: $554.1 million;

• Duplicating the Pacific Highway at Devils Pulpit – Federal contribution: $62 million;

• Constructing the new Holbrook Bypass on the Hume Highway – Federal contribution: $220 million;

• Constructing the new Bega Bypass on the Princes Highway – Federal contribution: $68 million.

At the other end of the construction cycle, work is expected to be completed on the following projects over the next 12 months:

• Duplicating the Pacific Highway at Glenugie – Federal contribution: $54 million;

Targeted safety upgrades at Mt Victoria along the Great Western Highway – up to $30 million;

• Realigning the Barton Highway at Gounyan Curves as part of a broader safety package for the road – Federal contribution: $36.5 million;

• Constructing the new north Orange Bypass – Federal contribution: $10 million.

We will also continue funding a range of initiatives designed to make our highways and local roads safer:

• $24.1 million to eliminate another 95 dangerous black spots on local roads;

• $7.1 million for rest stops and the other roadside facilities used by truck drivers.

The 2011-12 Budget also provides $289 million to assist NSW councils maintain and upgrade their local roads.

Since being elected a little over three years ago, this Labor Government’s infrastructure priorities have been about reversing the neglect we inherited so as to make the NSW economy even more prosperous as well as tackling the worsening congestion in and around Sydney.