Hume and Kings Hwys make top five worst roads: survey

The Hume and Kings highways two roads Canberrans regularly rely on - are two of the top five worst roads in NSW, according to NRMA Motoring & Services Safer Roads Save Lives public survey of 13,000 people.
Local NRMA director Mr Alan Evans, said people had nominated hundreds of roads and streets as the worst stretch of road in NSW and the ACT. When 13,000 people feel strongly enough about the state of their local roads to let us know, its clear that government has a major challenge to make our roads safe, reliable and efficient, Mr Evans said.It is significant that the Hume Highway and Kings Highways have ranked as the third and fourth worst roads in NSW and the ACT which means that governments have a challenge in deliver better, safer roads for Canberra motorists.The Kings Highway is the primary inland to coast link for the area. The roads winding alignment, and overtaking restrictions can produce frustrating, treacherous conditions for motorists, particularly during seasonal peaks when traffic can more than triple.Mr Evans said NRMA had welcomed both the Federal Governments commitment to spend $714 million to upgrade the Hume Highway and Labors positive comments about the need for a comprehensive upgrade of the highway. The Barton Highway was also a concern for survey respondents, particularly the region around Murrumbateman, Mr Evans said.NRMAs publication The State of Our Roads in 2004, which is being launched alongside the Postcard survey results, reflects the issues respondents have highlighted for the NRMA.It is a comprehensive overview of NSW roads that should encourage both State and Federal governments to acknowledge that safer roads make good economic sense - road trauma costs the nation $40 million every day, Mr Evans said.Some priorities outlined in The State of Our Roads 2004 report include:

Continual upgrading of the Kings Highway
Complete the Murrumbatemen Bypass
Improve overtaking opportunities on the Monaro Highway South of the ACT
Continue the Gungahlin Drive
Upgrade the Snowy Mountains Highway (Tumut to Kiandra) and improve overtaking opportunities
Upgrade MR 286
Replace Timber bridgesThe report is part of the Safer Roads Save Lives is NRMAs campaign to secure more road funding and encourage safer road users and vehicles. Other highlights of the campaign include meetings in regional areas seeking local communities views on roads and workshops with key interest groups including local government, the road transport industry, medical and emergency services personnel.But there are still billions of dollars required to fix up highways, main roads, local streets and bridges throughout NSW. People need to tell us where the problem roads are so we can help get them fixed. NRMA is also launching an informative and interactive safer roads website www.mynrma.com.au/saferroadsQuotes from Safer Roads Save Lives respondents:Hume HighwayOne postcard said many people die on this section that changes from dual to single all the time referring to the road between Tarcutta and Albury Kings HighwayCommonly known as Forty Bends, slippery and rough and dangerous, road surface is rough and has many potholesBarton HighwayThe traffic on this road between Yass & Canberra is unbelievable - something must be done