New deal for

A BUSY and windy section of road, where six people have lost their lives in five years, will be upgraded in a bid to prevent single vehicle smashes.
Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas announced on Wednesday that the State Government would pledge $5.2 million to improve road safety on Beaconsfield-Emerald Road.
The road, particularly from Upper Beaconsfield to Guys Hill, has been notorious for run-off road smashes.
Mr Pallas said that in the five years to June 2008, there were 56 casualty crashes, including six fatalities, between Princes Highway East in Beaconsfield and north of Station Avenue, Emerald. About 78.6 per cent of those were run-off road crashes, he said.
“Works to improve safety will include high-skid resistance surfacing, shoulder sealing and the installation of guard rail and wire rope safety barriers,” Mr Pallas said.
Additional guide posts, high-intensity line-marking and raised reflective pavement markers would also increase safety along the road.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato, who has witnessed many smashes on the road in the wet, welcomed the announcement.
“Providing safer roads contributes to economic development, enhances road safety and ensures our roads continue to service the community well into the future,” she said.
“These projects are the result of consultation with the community about what they needed to improve their transport networks – this is a wonderful result for motorists and our local community.”