MEDIA RELEASE The Hon Anthony Albanese MP Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government 26 March 2009 AA095/2009

$13.6 MILLION FOR LEVEL CROSSINGS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA Work will start immediately on installing new boom gates and other safety measures at 34 high risk level rail crossings around South Australia. 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 $42 billion Nation Building and Jobs Plan. All up, we've allocated $13.6 million to South Australia's 34 projects.  Details of the approved projects are attached. While South Australia suffered no fatalities or serious accidents at level crossings last year, there is no room for complacency.  That's why I'm announcing this extra investment in safety measures at the State's level crossings. Tragically, about 100 accidents occur at rail crossings every year. 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 200 level crossings. The projects announced today were identified by the South Australia Government using a model that takes into account factors such as road and rail traffic volumes, crash history, visibility for motorists and train drivers, and the number of rail tracks at the crossing.  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, $1.7 billion will be invested in South Australia - almost double what the previous government spent in the State. Media Contacts Jeff Singleton ( Mr Albanese's Office ) 0410 476 890 Boom Gates for Rail Crossings Program - South Australia Map National projects (ARTC owns/operate rail line)  Project name Current protection measures Proposed protection measures Gawler Road - Virginia Active Boom barrier upgrade Hayman Road - Two Wells Active Boom barrier upgrade Penfield Rd - Virginia Active Boom barrier upgrade Ironstone Range Road - Petwood Stop signs Flashing Lights only & Seal Crossing Panel Densley Road - Keith Stop signs Flashing Lights only Cooke Plains-Darwin Roads - Cooke Plains Stop signs Flashing Lights only Wirrega North Road - Wirrega Stop signs Flashing Lights only Yumali Road - Yumali Stop signs Flashing Lights only Lawrie Road - Long Plains Stop signs Flashing Lights only Cameron Terrace - Mallala Stop signs Flashing Lights only Magpie Drive - Tailem Bend Stop signs Lights and Boom Gates, Seal Crossing Panel & Escape Lane Pirie Blocks Road - Port Pirie Stop signs Lights and Boom Gates Korunye - Korunye Active Boom barrier upgrade Gawler Road - Two Wells Active Boom barrier upgrade Dublin - Mallala Road - Mallala Active Boom barrier upgrade Gawler River Road - Two Wells Active Boom barrier upgrade Stuart Highway - Hesso Active Active Advance Warning Barrier Highway - Cutana Active Active Advance Warning Narridy - Merriton Road - Merriton Stop signs Flashing Lights only (solar powered) & Seal Crossing Panel Johnsons Road - Mallala Stop signs Flashing Lights only & Seal Crossing Panel Point Lorne Road - Long Plains Stop signs Flashing Lights only & Seal Crossing Panel Gumbowie -Yongala Rd - Yongala Stop signs Flashing Lights only & Seal Crossing Panel Hill Road - Mallala Stop signs Flashing Lights only & Seal Crossing Panel Westbrook Road - Tailem Bend Stop signs Flashing Lights only & Seal Crossing Panel Binney Road - Crystal Brook Stop signs Flashing Lights only & Seal Crossing Panel Hannah Well Road - Coomandook Stop signs Flashing Lights only Leslie McIntyre Road - Bumbunga Stop signs Lights and Boom Gates & Road Alignment Elizabeth Street - Two Wells Stop signs Lights and Boom Gates Non-network projects (GWA owns/operates rail track) project name current protection measures proposed protection measures Rifle Range Road - Bethany Give Way signs Flashing Lights only (solar powered) & Seal Crossing Panel Magnolia Street - Tanunda Stop signs Flashing Lights only Hobbs Street - Tanunda Stop signs Flashing Lights only Jollytown Road - Lyndoch Stop signs Flashing Lights only Krondorf Road - Tanunda Stop signs Flashing Lights only Edith Street - Gawler Stop signs Lights and Boom Gates   URL: http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2009/March/AA095_2009.htm