Senator Penny Wong was pleased to join Labor candidate for Eden-Monaro, Mike Kelly, today to announce that Labor would commit to commence the duplication of the Barton Highway - a key piece of regional infrastructure and part of the National Highway Network.
By committing $76 million to this project, which has had strong advocacy from the local community, Labor is prioritising road safety and freight logistics between the Hume Highway and Canberra.
The stretch between Murrumbateman and the NSW border is notoriously a high accident area and will come under increasing pressure in future years with the rapid growth in the Yass Valley.
The Barton Highway Draft Improvement Strategy showed an above average casualty crash rate per kilometre.
I receive calls on a weekly basis telling me about crashes on the Highway and asking me to do something to make it safer. Thats what todays announcement is all about, Dr Kelly said.
On announcing the $76 million commitment, Labor called on the NSW State Government to match this commitment with $19 million.
The joint funding of $95 million would include up to $6 million to further plan the entire duplication of the project and to install smart safety technology aimed at improving driver alertness, knowledge of conditions, and to manage incidents.
Planning and design work for the Barton Highway has not yet been commenced by either the State or Federal Liberal Governments.
The duplication will not only improve safety for commuters but it will also improve freight logistics within the wider region.
In starting from the south end, the project targets the most used section, and follows the recommendation of the Barton Highway Draft Improvement Strategy.
"I see the Barton Highway as the missing link in our inland infrastructure to open up the full potential I was able to demonstrate as Member for Eden-Monaro for commercial activities through the Port of Eden, Dr Kelly said.
In addition, with the first flights from the Canberra International Airport taking off in September this is a great opportunity for local produce and enterprises to seek out international markets.
This funding will also allow for the implementation of parts of the Improvement Strategy including works to:

• Upgrade Highway entrance and exit intersections.
• Straighten curves.
• Widen lanes and shoulders.
• Install safety barriers.
• Improve bridge crossings.
• Build safer bus and truck stops.

A Shorten Labor Government will get this work started, continue to consult with the local community, and work it through to conclusion if the NSW State Government will join with us.
Labor believes in doing it once, and doing it right, when it comes to infrastructure upgrades.