A new program will give councils in regional New South Wales the chance to share in $1 million for projects to upgrade roads at public level crossings.

Applications opened this week for the NSW Government’s Level Crossing Improvement Program – Regional Council Minor Works.

The grants will be for works that make road approaches to level crossings safer by improving sighting distances and advanced warning systems.

This could include vehicle-activated signage, line marking, upgrading or installing street lighting, traffic calming treatments (excluding speed limit reductions) and minor road realignments.

Transport for NSW Chief of the Centres for Road Safety and Maritime Safety, Bernard Carlon, said the new program will help councils carry out minor, low-cost engineering work and safety improvements on road approaches to level crossings.

“There are over 1300 level crossings located on public roads across NSW and collisions between trains and vehicles are a major road and rail safety risk,” Mr Carlon said.

“Through the new Level Crossing Improvement Program – Regional Council Minor Works, we are partnering with regional councils who manage around 90 per cent of the state’s road network by length.

“These grants will enhance safety for motorists and rail users – passenger and freight – and are a step towards the NSW Government’s goal of zero road trauma by 2050.

“It’s also important to remember that while infrastructure improvements will continue to reduce risk at level crossings, drivers, riders and pedestrians should always take care and obey the road rules each time they encounter a level crossing,” he said.

Councils have until May 2 to apply for a share of $1 million in grants that are on offer for the 2025/26 financial year for the Level Crossing Improvement Program – Regional Council Minor Works.

The initiative is a sub-program of the existing NSW Government Level Crossing Improvement Program, which allocates $7.3 million each year to upgrade public level crossings, to trial new technologies and increase awareness through level crossing safety education and enforcement campaigns.

Media Release