The Andrews Labor Government is boosting motorcycle safety across Gippsland with 228 kilometres of safety upgrades, funded from the Motorcycle Safety Levy.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan announced today that motorcyclists in East Gippsland will be safer with three new projects to boost safety on roads popular with riders in the region.
$5.4 million of road safety upgrades will deliver safer roads and roadsides along key sections of The Great Alpine Road, Licola Road and Omeo Highway.
These safety improvements will address a history of crashes involving motorcyclists along these regional roads which are popular with riders.
To help keep motorcyclists and other road users safe from run-off road and head collisions rub rail protective barriers will be installed to further reduce risks to motorcyclists who lose control.
Extra signage and guide posts will be installed to alert riders to sharp curves ahead so they can adjust their speed and have better control.
A number of intersecting driveways and roads will also be resealed to improve the road’s surface and stop hazardous gravel spilling onto the road.
Sign post cushions will also be trialled on the Omeo Highway.
Each year more than 29 people are killed and 300 people seriously injured in Eastern Victoria with around 25 per cent of all fatal and serious injury crashes involving motorcycle riders.
The $5.4 million investment will be split across three projects in the East Gippsland region:
- Great Alpine Road - $3.69 million
- Licola Road between Licola and Heyfield - $1.1 million
- Omeo Highway between Bogong High Plains Road and Anglers Rest - $632,000
The TAC Motorcycle Safety Levy Program aims to reduce road trauma amongst motorcyclists by funding projects that specifically benefit riders including infrastructure improvements, research projects and educational activities.
Since June 2002, approximately $32 million raised from the Levy has been committed to motorcycle safety projects.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan
“We know motorcyclists are over-represented in serious and fatal crashes and that’s why we’re identifying the routes riders use so we can make them safer.”
“We’re getting on with building the projects that will boost safety for motorcyclists, wherever they are travelling.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“East Gippsland is one of the region's most popular motorcycle riding and touring areas, and initiatives like these are a crucial part of improving rider safety.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020