The Member for Monaro John Barilaro has today made a major commitment to improve safety and road travel on two of the Monaro electorate’s main highways.
Mr Barilaro announced a re-elected NSW Liberals and Nationals Government will commit a further $40 million to upgrade the Monaro and Kings Highways, splitting the funding equally between the two arterial roads.
“With motorists travelling at 100km/h along the Kings and Monaro Highways, safety is paramount,” Mr Barilaro said.
“That’s why I am committing $40 million towards the Monaro and Kings Highways, for important, safety-improving projects, including the construction of more overtaking lanes and wider shoulders, and the installation of safety barriers where needed.
“Over the past eight years, our government has spent in excess of $100 million in these two important highways, and our road users are safer because of it.”
Mr Barilaro said the two highways are major connecting roads for the Monaro.
“Improvements to our highways not only increase safety for local commuters, but are a boost to the important tourism economy of our region,” he said.
“Safer roads encourage visitors to return to our towns, which has great flow on effects for our local small businesses.
“With Snowy 2.0 on our horizon, the Monaro Highway will see an increase in vehicle movements, and I am making the necessary plans that will see the Monaro Highway equipped for the future.
“More and more people are choosing to call Bungendore, Carwoola, Captains Flat and Braidwood home, with many people commuting along the Kings Highway each day.
“Residents travel back and forth along the Kings Highway for trips to the south coast, and it’s crucial they have a safe road to travel on for these long journeys.
“When people get in their vehicles of a morning, they deserve to be travelling along a safe road, and it’s important they get home safe and sound at the end of the day.”
Mr Barilaro said road infrastructure funding for the Monaro electorate has exceeded $386 million since the NSW Liberals and Nationals were elected in 2011.
