The Rudd Labor Government has today announced that we will deliver $672,000 to fix two dangerous intersections in Stuart Park in Darwin through the national Black Spots program.

The project, which is jointly funded with Darwin City Council, will build a roundabout and redesign the intersections at Woolner Road and Bishop Street, and Iliffe Street and Brewery Place.

Minister Albanese said, “We are committed to reducing crashes on Top End roads.

“That’s why the Black Spot program is a vital element in the Government’s plan to improve road safety. It targets roads that either have a history of crashes or a significant risk of crashes occurring.”

NT Consultative Panel Chair, Mr Hale said, “Accidents take a huge toll on families, our community and the Territory economy.

“The Black Spot program complements the funding that I have already secured for major national infrastructure links in the Territory like Tiger Brennan Drive and the Stuart Highway.

“This is about improving road safety at both the national and local level.”

Mr Albanese said, “From next year (2009-10), the Rudd Government will deliver on its election commitment to increase black spot funding by a massive 33 per cent next year, up to a record $60 million nationally.

“The program has a proven track record of saving lives. At least 32 deaths and more than 1,500 serious injuries were prevented as a result of the program in three years, an evaluation by the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics has shown.”

Mr Hale said, “For every $1 spent on fixing black spots, around $14 is returned to the community through a reduction in the number and cost of crashes.

“These projects were assessed and recommended by a panel of independent road safety experts. They included the Australian Trucking Association of NT, Local Government Association of NT, Automobile Association of NT, Office of Indigenous Policy and the Department of Infrastructure Planning and Environment.”

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