New federal cash for bridges and roads

[kscarbel2]

Australasian Transport News / July 7, 2015

The federal government is flagging more cash for local infrastructure including roads and bridges.

Infrastructure and regional development minister Warren Truss points to extra funding coming from this year’s Budget for such uses.

"This financial year, local governments across Australia will receive an extra $300 million in Roads to Recovery funding from the Government’s reintroduction of the indexation of the fuel excise – on top of the already doubled $700 million," Truss says.

"In 2016-17 they will get another bonus of $805 million in addition to the $350 million annual allocation.

"Additional federal funding will not only fix local roads but go to improving social and economic outcomes across the nation.

"We have increased the level of funding for the Roads to Recovery program by more than $1 billion, made the program permanent, and then ensured the extra money will be distributed to councils with no requirement for them to match the extra money.

"I recently also announced that Round Two of the $300 million Bridges Renewal Program will be available exclusively to local government.

"Under this program up to $100 million will be provided for the repair and replacement of local bridges to deliver better transport links for their communities and industries."

That cash will cover up to 50 per cent of the costs to renew and replace bridges.

An additional $200 million had been committed over the next two years under the $500 million Black Spot Program.