A heavily trafficked road near Marulan has scored almost $1.4 million in federal government black spot funding.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Jerrara Road has won $1,371,000 of the $1.7m announced for the Goulburn area by Hume MP Angus Taylor on Wednesday. It will go towards improvements on a 3.5km section and complement $400,000 worth of vertical alignment works Goulburn Mulwaree Council is undertaking.
It is heavily used by trucks and motorists making their way to the south coast, via Bungonia and Oallen Ford Road.
READ MORE:
But it has also witnessed its share of fatal and serious crashes over the years, which was considered as part of the process.
A council spokesman said 10 serious accidents had occurred on the road, linking the Hume Highway and Bungonia, over the past five years.
The Post reported on a July, 2018 crash in which a 23-year-old woman lost her life in a two-vehicle collision.
A seven-year-old boy also died in 2012 when the vehicle his family was travelling in lost control, and hit a tree. It was believed to be fatigue related.
In addition, Jerrara Road resident Ross Goddard chronicled fatalities in 2001 and 2008 and property owners have complained about overturned trucks and near-misses on what they described as a narrow road.
Multiquip Quarries has been upgrading the thoroughfare as part of a voluntary planning agreement with the council for its Oallen Ford Road quarry.
However the council was not happy with some of the work's quality, which it ordered to be redone.
In a recent report in response to Jerrara Power's request for environmental requirements for its proposed waste to energy plant, planning staff stated that the road's condition was a cause for council and community concern.
It asked that the company consider road safety and the cumulative impact of a further 52 trucks.
The council spokesman said 1011 vehicles used the road daily, with 166 of these being heavy vehicles.
Also under the program, $416,860 has been awarded for a one-lane roundabout at the Kinghorne/ Albert Street intersection in Goulburn.
The council says the intersection has "poor sight lines from all directions. Further, three significant crashes had occurred there in the past five years.
Design work for both projects will occur this financial year, with construction to take place in 2022/23.
"Road crashes place major emotional and economic strains on all affected communities but particularly the families and friends of the victims," Mr Taylor said.
"...None of these local projects would be delivered without the community's vital input. I encourage all residents and motorists in the region to nominate projects for future funding rounds."
For more information on the federal government's Black Spot Program, or to nominate a black spot, visit investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots.
'Desperate need of repair'
In related news, the council will apply for a $2,250,000 grant from the state's Fixing Local Roads program. It is part of a $3m project to fully rehabilitate Deccan Street from Goldsmith to Clinton Streets and Clinton Street from Deccan to Cowper Streets.
The council proposes to contribute $750,000 to boost its chances of grant success.
Councillors were told at their meeting on Tuesday that the project fitted the criteria as a heavy vehicle route.
"It is currently in desperate need of repair," a report stated.
In addition, the upgrade would complement the aquatic centre redevelopment on Deccan Street.
We care about what you think. Have your say in the form below and if you love local news don't forget to subscribe.
Louise Thrower
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
