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Albanese pledges to tackle congested transport corridor

Federal Labor says it will partner New South Wales to upgrade a congested transport corridor in Newcastle

August 9, 2013

Federal Labor has committed to working with New South Wales to upgrade a congested transport corridor in Newcastle.

Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says the party will provide $52 million to upgrade Tourle Street Bridge and Cormorant Road, a project Infrastructure Australia identified as a regional priority.

Funding has already been included in the Federal Budget, and the NSW Government will pledge $52 million to the project. It is scheduled to start in 2015 following the finalisation of detailed design work.

“Together, Tourle Street and Cormorant Road form a vital but increasingly congested transport corridor connecting the city with the Kooragang Island industrial precinct as well as RAAF Williamtown and the residential areas of Stockton, Medowie and Port Stephens,” Albanese says.

“With daily traffic volumes expected to increase further over the coming decade from 33,000 to 40,000 cars and trucks, urgent action is required and federal Labor is prepared to step up.

“Once completed, the improvements made will ease congestion and deliver smoother, faster driving conditions on and around the bridge.”

Albanese says the announcement adds to a long list of projects federal Labor has funded to improve infrastructure in the NSW Hunter region.

Over the past five and a half years, he says the Federal Government has provided funding to build the Hunter Expressway, complete the Bulahdelah Bypass on the Pacific Highway, fix black spots on local roads and upgrade high-risk level crossings.

“Plus in our most recent budget we outlined and funded a $600 million plan to ease congestion and cut travel times along the F3 connecting Newcastle and the Hunter to Sydney,” Albanese says.

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