MEDIA RELEASE The Hon Anthony Albanese MP Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government 15 April 2009 AA118/2009

$3.9 MILLION FOR LEVEL CROSSINGS IN TASMANIA Work will start immediately on installing flash lights and advance warning systems at 13 high risk level rail crossings in Tasmania. Funding for these safety projects will come from the Rudd Labor Government's $150 million Boom Gates for Rail Crossings Program - a key element of our Nation Building and Jobs Plan. All up, we've allocated $3.9 million for 13 projects on urban, regional and arterial roads in Tasmania. Details of the approved projects are attached. Tragically, about 100 accidents occur at rail crossings every year. In Tasmania last year there were three accidents, but fortunately none resulted in fatalities or serious injuries. The investment we are making will not only improve road safety but also support local jobs and local businesses during the current global recession. Never before has the Federal Government had a program dedicated to improving safety and preventing accidents at level crossings. Nationally, the Boom Gates for Rail Crossings Program will provide $50 million in 2008/09 and a further $100 million in 2009/10 for the installation of boom gates and other safety measures at over 250 level crossings. The projects announced today were identified by the Tasmanian Government following an assessment that took account of factors such as road and rail traffic volumes and crash history. The new boom gates and other safety measures are part our $26.4 billion Nation Building Program which will deliver and maintain vital road and rail infrastructure in every region of Australia. Of this funding, $800 million will be invested in the Tasmania - almost double the amount spent by the previous government in the state. Media Contacts Jeff Singleton ( Mr Albanese's Office ) 0410 476 890 Boom Gates for Rail Crossings Program Tasmania Projects Boom Gates - Tasmania - Map [PDF: 647 KB] National Network projects: Project location Current Protection Measures Proposed Protection Measures Midland Highway, Conara Active Signals Introduce Active Advance Warning System Lillico Road, Lillico/Don Passive Signals Introduce flashing lights Clarendon Lodge Road, Evandale Passive Signals Introduce flashing lights Evandale Main Road - Main Line, Evandale Active Signals Introduce Active Advance Warning System Evandale Main Road - Western Line, Evandale Active Signals Introduce Active Advance Warning System Drummond Street, Perth Active Signals Introduce Active Advance Warning System Mudwalls Road, Colebrook Active Signals Introduce Active Advance Warning System Non-national network projects: Project location Current Protection Measures Proposed Protection Measures Esplanade , Queenstown Passive Signals Introduce flashing lights Selby Street , Queenstown Passive Signals Introduce flashing lights Lune River Road , Ida Bay Passive Signals Introduce flashing lights Esk Main Road, Avoca (east) Active Signals Introduce Active Advance Warning System Esk Main Road, Ormley Active Signals Introduce Active Advance Warning System Esk Main Road, Avoca (west) Active Signals Introduce Active Advance Warning System   URL: http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2009/April/AA118_2009.htm