A new building blitz at intersections around the state will focus on improving safety for families and school children at over 55 schools, shopping strips and intersections.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the jointly funded $19.5 million Pedestrian and Safer Schools Program will roll out across regional and urban Victoria from early next year.

“The program will see a combination of electronic speed limit signs, pedestrian operated lights, raised zebra crossings and pedestrian islands installed in busy and high-risk areas to help pedestrians, school children, cyclists and motorists share the roads safely,” the Deputy Prime Minister said. 

“The initiative is part of a jointly funded package of road safety works to support economic recovery in Victoria.

“We are continuing to invest in projects right across Victoria and the nation through our record $110 billion infrastructure investment plan, which is creating local jobs to lay the foundations for economic recovery while delivering the lasting infrastructure communities need to get home sooner and safer.”

Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said the package was designed to protect vulnerable road users while supporting local jobs. 

“These upgrades will improve infrastructure for school pedestrians in the heart of our communities, ultimately saving lives and supporting jobs on the ground and in the supply chain,” Minister Carroll said.

“Pedestrians and cyclists are some of our most vulnerable road users and these upgrades will mean they’re able to cross the road more safely and efficiently.

“This investment builds on the $63 million we announced in the Victorian Budget 2020/21 to deliver the new School and Community Safety Program, which funds construction of new crossings and more variable speed signs in school zones, improving safety for students and their families.

“The electronic signs are designed to remind drivers of reduced speed limits when entering a school zone or a busy precinct, while other improvements to intersections will boost pedestrian visibility and connectivity.”

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said funding packages like these are imperative for making roads safer, creating jobs and supporting the economic recovery from the pandemic.

“This package prioritises locations based on things like pedestrian demands, crash history, safety risk, and stakeholder feedback so that we know we are delivering the right investments in the right areas,” Assistant Minister Buchholz said. 

“This type of infrastructure plays a vital role in preventing serious crashes and helps to reduce the severity of crashes when they’re unavoidable.”

In total, the Australian Government has committed $71.5 million and the Victorian Government $25.7 million to fund Targeted Road Safety Works across Victoria.