SOME of the biggest blackspots in Lake Macquarie's local road network will be improved courtesy of a Commonwealth Government funding boost.
Member for Shortland, Pat Conroy, announced on Wednesday that the Albanese Government had allocated an extra $6.6 million for Lake Macquarie City Council to upgrade its infrastructure as part of the Roads To Recovery program over the next five years.
It takes the Commonwealth Government's total investment in Lake Macquarie roads to $15.4 million.
"We announced Roads To Recovery some time back and we've been allocating to each council based on formulas," Mr Conroy said. "This is a natural flow through.
"We've been very clear that we have been prioritising local government. They are the level of government closest to the people, and they do struggle to raise funds.
"Given we've been able to deliver two surpluses in a row, there's some fiscal headroom to support the urgent infrastructure needs of our community."
Where the funding is spent will be decided by Lake Macquarie City Council.
Elizabeth Parade in suburban Charlestown is undergoing a $3.7 million upgrade of its surface, footpaths and drainage and is expected to be complete by Christmas.
Road To Recovery is footing almost $345,000 of the project.
The federal government is also tipping in $1.9 million for the surface replacement, footpaths and drainage of Gardiner Road at Dora Creek.
"When you have over 1300 kilometres of local roads, there are roads that need rehabilitating continuously," Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz said.
"Having this additional $15.4 million should assist in funding those priority projects."
Local road funding might not be an eye-catching government initiative, but Cr Shultz said it is among the most important.
"It is one of, if not the biggest, fundamental asset people appreciate and value," he said.
"They need to be able to drive to work, pick up the kids from school, drive to the local park. Roads are fundamental in Lake Macquarie."
Meanwhile, the NSW Government announced $2 million in funding for a signalised intersection at Myall Road and Gymea Drive in Garden Suburb.
The intersection will be delivered through the $56 million State Voluntary Planning Agreement Funding Program to unlock opportunities for more housing in Garden Suburb.
