Date: 2008-05-12
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A $375,000 upgrade to the level crossing at Green Hill Lake Road, Ararat, is complete significantly improving safety for motorists, cyclists and rail passengers. Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said the level crossing at Green Hill Lake Road had been upgraded to boost its safety features as part of the Brumby Government’s commitment to improve level crossings across Victoria.
(Media-Newswire.com) - A $375,000 upgrade to the level crossing at Green Hill Lake Road, Ararat, is complete significantly improving safety for motorists, cyclists and rail passengers.
Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said the level crossing at Green Hill Lake Road had been upgraded to boost its safety features as part of the Brumby Government’s commitment to improve level crossings across Victoria.
“The Brumby Government is taking action to improve level crossing safety across Victoria and this crossing had been a passive crossing without flashing lights or audible warnings,” Ms Kosky said.
“The upgraded level crossing now features flashing warning lights, warning bells using state-of-the-art technology and new signage.
“In the last two financial years, the safety of 153 road and pedestrian level crossings was upgraded and we are on track to upgrade 46 crossings this financial year.”
Ms Kosky said the upgrade of the Green Hill Lake Road crossing was the next step in the Brumby Government’s commitment to improve level crossing safety.
Member for Ripon, Joe Helper, MP, said this latest upgrade was great news for the local community.
“Already this year we have seen safety improvements at three crossings around Trawalla,” Mr Helper said.
“Green Hill Lake is a popular tourist spot so the level crossing improvements will make driving and riding to the lake safer and easier.
“We are boosting safety measures at hundreds of level crossings across the state but drivers and pedestrians also have to take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others and ensure they use crossings appropriately and obey warning signals.”
The Brumby Government has accelerated the road level crossing upgrade program from 2006-07 as part of a $208.7 million boost for railway safety.
A further $33.2 million is being spent a new level crossing safety package, with 53 automated warning signs to be installed on regional crossings, rumble strips added to 200 crossings, and other safety works completed to build on the existing upgrade program.
The Government’s Don’t Risk It! awareness campaign is educating people about safety at level crossings.
“I want to remind all Victorians to take care at all level crossings, regardless of their safety features. With trains passing through this particular crossing each day, my message to motorists is just Don’t Risk It!” Ms Kosky said.