New boom gates and safety measures will be installed on 66 high-risk rail level crossings across Queensland
New boom gates and safety measures will be installed on 66 high-risk rail level crossings across Queensland as part of a $42.7 million push by the Federal Government to cut collisions between trucks and trains.
The initiative, which is part of the Government’s $150 million Boom Gates for Rail Crossings Program, is to begin immediately and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese says it is the first of its kind in Australia.
“Never before has the Federal Government had a program dedicated to improving safety and preventing accidents at level crossings,” he says.
In Queensland last year there were 18 collisions on rail level crossings, which included five fatalities.
All of the crossings to be upgraded were identified by the Queensland Government using a model which weighed the length of track through the State against the number of crashes.
Key areas to receive part of the $42.7 million include Cairns, Gladstone, Rockhampton and Townsville.