Election 2016: Labor also pledges to upgrade Barton Highway
The Labor Party has responded to the Federal Government's promise to upgrade the Barton Highway by pledging $76 million.
Key points:
- Both Labor and Liberals have now promised highway funding
- Labor has asked NSW Government for $19 million
Full duplication to be funded in stages
On Sunday, the Coalition announced it would spend $50 million on the highway if it was re-elected.
This afternoon, Labor candidate for Eden-Monaro Mike Kelly said his party was also committed to upgrading the road.
"I receive calls on a weekly basis telling me about crashes on the highway and asking me to do something to make it safer," Dr Kelly said.
Labor has asked the NSW Government to commit $19 million in funding, taking the project's total to $95 million.
The money would include up to $6 million to plan the entire duplication of the road, install safety technology and manage incidents.
Dr Kelly said an improved road would also help to boost commercial activities through the Port of Eden.
"I see the Barton Highway as the missing link in our inland infrastructure," he 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.
"We want to super charge our tourism in Eden-Monaro. That will see of course much more traffic through the Barton Highway."
Labor Senate leader Penny Wong was present at the announcement and said it would look at funding the road's full duplication through future budget cycles.
"We know that the safety record on this stretch of road is very bad, and we also know that this is a critical piece of infrastructure for the regional economy."
Dr Kelly said Labor's plan would be to start from the south end targeting the road's most used section in line with the recommendation of the Barton Highway Draft Improvement Strategy.
Upgrades would include to the highway's entrance and exit intersections, widening lanes, installing safety barriers, safer truck stops and improved bridge crossings.
Action group welcomes pledge
Sophie Wade, from the Barton Highway Community Action Group, said Labor's plan was welcome.
"It is the commitment we're looking for, for duplication," she said.
"They're not going to start with overtaking lanes, they're saying they're going to start with duplication."
Ms Wade said now that both parties had committed funding, it was important whoever won followed through.
"I think we have both major parties recognising the need to address this issue so my confidence level has gone up," she said.