Record regional roads investment to help save lives on country roads
19 June 2019
The Marshall Government is delivering a
record $1.115 billion for regional
road projects and infrastructure
upgrades across the state in the 2019-20 State Budget.
This includes a record $878 million of new funding for regional roads
and infrastructure that will help save lives on our country roads and
build regional communities.
It is the single biggest injection of new funding in a State Budget for
regional
roads in
South Australia’s history.
This builds on other projects announced in last year’s State Budget
including the $200 million Duplication of the
Joy Baluch AM Bridge
project, the $90 million
Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway Duplication
project and the $14.6 million
Penola Bypass project.
Key regional infrastructure projects outlined in the 2019-20 State
Budget include;
Improving our Regional Roads initiative ($330 million over 8
years), which includes;
o $143 million towards road upgrades, including additional overtaking
lanes and shoulder sealing;
o $92 million for duplication of
Victor Harbor Road between Main South
Road and McLaren Vale;
o $55 million for the
Horrocks Highway Corridor;
o $14 million to support the relocation of the Thomas Foods Facility;
o $14 million towards the Naracoorte and Kroemers Crossing roundabout;
o $11 million for increased Dublin Saleyards access; and,
o $1 million to open Bratten Bridge to road trains.
Roads of Strategic Importance ($275 million);
o $87.5 million to upgrade the
Sturt Highway from Renmark to Gawler;
o $62.5 million to upgrade the
Barrier Highway from Cockburn to Burra;
and,
o $125 million to upgrade South Australia’s section of the
Eyre Highway
from Port Augusta to Perth – including $32 million to upgrade Eyre
Peninsula Roads following the closure of the rail line.
Princes Highway upgrade ($250 million);
$237.1 million over four years for regional road maintenance;
and,
Regional and remote airstrips ($1.8 million).
The Government continues its ongoing commitment to the Regional Roads
and Infrastructure Fund ($341 million over four years);
Premier Marshall said that the road toll this year is unacceptably high,
and that improving the condition of our regional roads is one element of
a broader response to slashing this figure.
“This senseless loss of life on our roads simply has to stop,”
said Premier Marshall.
“The State Liberal Government is injecting in excess of one billion
dollars into regional road projects and infrastructure upgrades which is
part of our commitment to improve road safety, as well as help build
regional communities and create jobs.
“This is the single biggest investment in regional roads in South
Australia’s history, and a true reflection of the value we place on our
regions and saving lives on our roads.
“Regional South Australia is the backbone of our economy and our
exports, and I’m confident that this record investment will unlock
further economic potential across a range of industries, from
agriculture to mining.
“Our commitment, pure and simple, is focused on building productive
infrastructure that facilitates growth, productivity and job creation in
our regions so that our famers and entire state can flourish.”
Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Planning Stephan Knoll said
that it was no secret that after 16 years of Labor our regional road
network was suffering from massive underinvestment.
“We know that the majority of road deaths every year occur in our
regions and while there are many factors to a road accident, the
condition of the road can play a significant part,” said Minister Knoll.
“That’s why we are investing record levels of new funding to make our
country roads safer.
“This massive investment to upgrade regional roads across the state will
help save lives on our country roads.
“This massive investment will underpin regional road upgrades for
years.”
--ENDS--
Source: South Australian Government - www.premier.sa.gov.au
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