The Australian Government has approved federal funding to help carry out regional road upgrades across South Australia.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the projects to be funded under the package included overtaking lanes on the Augusta, Lincoln and Eyre Highways, widening of the Rocky River Bridge, and shoulder sealing on the Sturt Highway.
“These upgrades will have immense safety and efficiency benefits, with the growth in freight traffic on the Augusta, Eyre and Lincoln Highways leading to the need for more safe overtaking opportunities between Port Augusta and Whyalla,” said Mr. Chester.
“The overtaking lanes projects are expected to reduce crashes by some 25 per cent and shoulder sealing works are expected to reduce run-off-road accidents by some 40 per cent,” he said.
South Australian Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Stephen Mullighan said State Government was investing in regional roads to improve safety and reduce freight costs.
“Shoulder sealing on the Sturt Highway will complement works being undertaken under the National Highway Upgrade Program aimed at enabling the future introduction of more efficient higher mass limits vehicles such as B triples,” said Mr. Mullighan.
“Widening the Rocky River Bridge on the Augusta Highway will also help cater for the growth in freight movement by better supporting heavy freight vehicles, while shoulder sealing on the Sturt Highway will address the highway’s poor crash record between Nuriootpa and the Victorian border,” he said.
Work on the package is expected to begin November 2017 and will reportedly be completed by mid-2018.
The Australian Government has committed $11 million, the South Australian Government $2.7 million and the City of Mount Gambier $500,000 to the $13.75 million package.