ROSI future for strategic regional roads

THE FEDERAL Government's 10-year, $3.5 billion Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) initiative is aiming to deliver game-changing works to drive productivity and efficiency gains across Australia's key freight routes, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack.

 “The Roads of Strategic Importance initiative will deliver rolling packages of upgrades, which will improve the standard of priority corridors over a 10-year period,” Mr McCormack said.

“By targeting our investment on priority road corridors used by agricultural, mining and other industries, we will ensure upgrades delivered through the Roads of Strategic Importance initiative will provide more reliable infrastructure to improve connections across the supply chain and access to ports, airports and transport hubs.

“We have already allocated $400 million for the Bass Highway and other priorities in Tasmania, $100 million to improve access from regional NSW to the Australian Capital Territory via the Barton Highway and $220 million for the Bindoon Bypass in Western Australia,” he said.

“The government will be looking for other strategic corridors so our investments can support regional economic growth, support the expansion of local industries including the visitor economy, while also improving safety on these key roads.”

The $3.5 billion ROSI initiative is an important component of the Liberal and Nationals Government's $75 billion infrastructure investment pipeline, announced in this year's Federal Budget.

Assistant Minister for Roads and Transport Scott Buchholz said as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to developing northern Australia, $1.5 billion has been earmarked for projects in the north.

“This investment of $1.5 billion for projects in the north acknowledges the importance of this region to Australia's economy and building on the benefits already being delivered through the Australian Government's Northern Australia Roads Program and Northern Australia Beef Roads Program,” Mr Buchholz said.

“I look forward to meeting with local organisations across the north in coming weeks as part of a wide consultation process.”

http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/key_projects/initiatives/roads_strategic_importance.aspx

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