LGs get lion’s share of $290m in bridges, heavy vehicle funding

Local
councils have secured nearly 80 percent of grants awarded under Round Five of the
Bridges Renewal Program and Round Seven of Heavy Vehicle Safety and
Productivity Program.

In all, proponents of about 350 projects have been awarded a share of $290 million in funding to improve the productivity and safety of bridges and heavy vehicle routes nationwide.

They
include the Longreach Regional Council, which is upgrading loading ramps at the
Western Queensland Livestock Exchange to improve traffic movement, providing
secure work for local contractors and businesses during construction and delivering
lasting regional benefits.

Round 5 of
the BRP is also providing an opportunity for many councils to begin the process
of replacing or upgrading bridges damaged in recent bushfire events

Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional
Development Michael McCormack said:  “By
improving our road network, this funding will also help keep people safe on our
roads while making key freight routes more efficient, delivering long-term
benefits to drivers, businesses and local communities”.

Details of Round Seven HVSPP grants are online, as are details of Round Five BRP grants.