Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I am pleased to announce a joint federal and state government commitment to fund up to an additional $15 million for much-needed safety works on the Barton Highway between Yass and Canberra. This was announced last week by myself and the hardworking state member for Goulburn, Pru Goward. The federal government has pledged to work with New South Wales to identify up to $12 million from any project savings from the New South Wales government's Infrastructure Investment Program allocation to put towards the Barton Highway—and the New South Wales government has agreed to commit $3 million.

It is one of the most important issues for commuters around Murrumbateman, Yass and as far away as Boorowa and Binalong. The Barton Highway is the artery that allows thousands of local people to work in Canberra, to use Canberra's tertiary and medical services, and to have their children attend school in Canberra.

I have been pushing for this latest funding to build overtaking lanes and other safety measures, such as road widening, in line with the planned staged duplication of the highway. Overtaking lanes are urgently needed along the 'mad mile' north of Wallaroo and south of Murrumbateman. The majority of the new work should be done between Murrumbateman and Wallaroo, where there is the heaviest traffic in peak hour.

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