The recently announced NSW Budget has resulted in a $15.8 million increase in spending on Central Coast roads over 2014-15, including funds for the continued construction of the Central Coast Highway and planning for future widening of the Pacific Motorway in two locations.
Spending on Central Coast roads has increased from $54.1 million in last year’s budget, to $69.9 million in 2014-15. NRMA local director Kyle Loades welcomed the NSW Government’s new funding commitments. “The injection of new funds into important projects is absolutely essential to help relieve congestion and improve traffic fl ow in the area,” said Mr Loades.”Even though getting the planning under way is just the first phase of these long-awaited major projects, the money will come as a relief to local motorists.
” Funding allocations in the Central Coast region included: $24 million to continue construction of the upgrade of the Central Coast Highway intersection with Brisbane Water Dr and Manns Rd at West Gosford; $1.6 million to continue planning for the future widening of the Pacific Motorway between Kariong interchange and Somersby interchange; $6 million to continue planning for the widening of the Pacific Motorway between Wyong Rd and the Doyalson Link Rd; $12 million for Gosford Council to continue construction for the replacement of railway level crossing on Woy Woy Rd at Horsfield Bay; $2.5 million to complete planning and commence early works for the Pacific Highway and Wyong Rd intersection upgrade at Tuggerah (as part of the $5 million project allocation in 2014/15); $2.5 million to complete planning and commence early works for the Wyong Rd with Enterprise Dr intersection upgrade (as part of the $5 million project allocation in 2014/15); $2 million to complete planning and commence early works for the upgrade of Wyong Rd between Mingara Dr and Tumbi Rd; $1.5 million to continue planning for widening the Pacific Highway to four lanes between Parsons Rd and Ourimbah St, Lisarow; $800,000 to continue planning for the future upgrade of the Pacific Highway between Manns Rd, Narara and Parsons Rd, Lisarow; $3.8 million to repair The Entrance Bridge over Tuggerah Lake on Central Coast Highway; $10 million to continue construction of the upgrade of the intersection of Terrigal Dr and Charles Kay Dr.
The NSW Government has budgeted $283.7 million for road safety, including $240 million for the Community Road Safety Fund. Mr Loades said the NRMA called for all money hypothecated from camera detected fines and reinvested into road safety in 2012 and the NSW Government listened by creating the Community Road Safety Fund. “It’s important that we continue to see hypothecated funding for the Community Road Safety Fund retained in 2014-15, regardless of the number of traffic fines,” Mr Loades said.
Media release, 18 Jun 2014
The National Roads and
Motorists’ Association