Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham

Roads throughout South Australia are being made better and safer for all road users with more than $680 million worth of projects getting underway since January supporting thousands of jobs.

Projects started this year alone, funded by the Australian and South Australian Governments, are improving more than 1,500km of roads and supporting about 2,500 jobs.

This $680 million program of works across the State includes road resurfacing, road maintenance and works on major projects such as the Springbank, Goodwood and Daws Roads intersection upgrade, Portrush and Magill Roads intersection upgrade and the first major resurfacing of the South Eastern Freeway in 20 years.

Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack, said the Australian and South Australian governments are committed to working together to build a better, safer and faster road network for South Australia.

“There has been a significant amount of work started this year as we’ve got on with the job of improving South Australian roads, while also supporting thousands of jobs,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“This has included a variety of works ranging from maintenance and road surfacing through to major projects like the $61 million upgrade to the intersection of Springbank, Goodwood and Daws Roads.

“Works on the intersection upgrade began in January and the new alignment is already open to traffic with commuters reaping the benefits.

“Other work we’ve seen get started over the past five months includes projects in both regional and metropolitan areas, to ensure that road users throughout the entire state can benefit from our investment.

“Outside of metropolitan Adelaide, work has commenced on a large number of projects, including the resurfacing of the South Eastern Freeway, which when complete will have huge benefits to commuters and the freight industry.

“Resurfacing and shoulder sealing projects are underway across South Australia, including works on the Stuart Highway, Barrier Highway and Princes Highway – to name just a few.

“In addition to works underway, the Australian Government has committed funding in last week’s Federal Budget towards the North-South Corridor, Strzelecki Track and upgrades to the Heysen Tunnels.”

Senator for South Australia and Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham said South Australia is undergoing an infrastructure boom to improve road quality and safety right across metropolitan and rural regions.

“These upgrades are all about ensuring that South Australians can get home sooner and safer.

“These significant investments in our state’s roads are supercharging South Australia’s economic recovery and continuing to support thousands of local jobs.

South Australian Premier, Steven Marshall, said the works on the road network this year have had positive flow-on effects to the wider economy.

“These projects not only improve our road network and ensure road users can get where they are going safer and quicker, but they also provide employment for South Australians,” Premier Marshall said.

“The $680 million worth of works currently underway will support 2,500 full time equivalent jobs for South Australians.

“We are forging ahead with road projects to ensure our economic recovery out of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure South Australians benefit from this work for decades to come.

“While the work undertaken so far this year is impressive there is still much to come, with many more projects to have shovels in the ground this year.”

“The Morrison and Marshall governments are working together to build what matters throughout the state.”

South Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Corey Wingard, said the road maintenance being undertaken is just as important as the major projects.

“On top of the major projects being undertaken this year, we are getting on with maintaining the road network,” Minister Wingard said.

“Work this year has included spending more than $30 million to fix potholes, maintain bridges and re-paint line marking.

“Work on the North-South Corridor is also forging ahead, with approximately 200 drilling sites with more than 5,000 tests along the corridor completed, and a further 250 boreholes on the southern section of the project alignment, between Anzac Highway and Darlington Interchange, to begin soon.”

Member for Sturt James Stevens said that the Federal Government was committed to delivering real road safety outcomes for all South Australians.

“The Australian Government’s $110 billion nationwide infrastructure pipeline is delivering vital road upgrades right across South Australia to ensure a safer journey for all whilst laying the economic foundations for recovery from the pandemic.”

Works started this year include:

Major works:

• Goodwood, Springbank and Daws Roads Intersection Upgrade
• Magill, Portrush Roads Intersection Upgrade
• Main North Road and Nottage Terrace Intersection Upgrade
• Main North Road, Kings Road and McIntyre Road Intersection Upgrade.

Early works:

• Grand Junction, Hampstead and Briens Road Intersection Upgrade.
• Resurfacing on:
• South Eastern Freeway
• Stuart Highway.
• Shoulder sealing on:
• Eyre Highway
• Barrier Highway
• Princes Higway
• Horrocks Highway.