The Federal and South Australian Governments have announced a joint investment of $145 million to support construction jobs in the state.
The funding has been supplied to deliver shovel-ready infrastructure projects and urgent road safety upgrades in South Australia.
Progress is already underway on several key projects as part of the infrastructure stimulus package, including:
- Releasing a tender for shoulder sealing works as part of the $12 million North-South Freight Route
- Works starting shortly on the upgrade of Adventure Way which forms part of the $6 million package, including the Innamincka Airport access road
- Works underway on a $7 million upgrade of the Stuart Highway
Shovel-ready projects
| Project | Federal Funding | Total Funding |
| Heysen Tunnel refit and safety upgrade | $12 million | $15 million |
| Regional North-South Freight Route | $9.6 million | $12 million |
| Regional Road Network Package | $41.6 million | $52 million |
| Adventure Way and Innamincka Airport access road | $4.8 million | $6 million |
Road safety upgrades
| Project | Federal Funding | Total Funding |
| Installation of safety barriers at high-risk crash sites across South Australia | $8 million | $10 million |
| Long Valley Road safety improvements: localised widening, shoulder sealing, intersection treatments, safety barriers and sight distance improvements | $4.8 million | $6 million |
| Activated Safety Signing on South East Freeway | $3.2 million | $4 million |
| Median Wire Rope – Dukes Highway | $4 million | $5 million |
| Audio Tactile Line Marking on strategic corridors | $8 million | $10 million |
| Shoulder Sealing Program | $4 million | $5 million |
| Road lighting improvements at critical rural intersections | $6.8 million | $8.5 million |
| Variable Speed Limit Signs | $800,000 | $1 million |
| Minor improvements to junctions along key corridors | $8 million | $10 million |
| Total | $115.6 million | $144.5 million |
The jointly funded package is supported by investments from the Federal ($115.6 million) and South Australian Governments ($28.9 million).
Commonwealth funding for the package has been drawn from the recently announced $1.5 billion allocation to priority shovel-ready projects and targeted road safety works.
Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, said further investment in infrastructure would play a critical role in the Commonwealth’s JobMaker plan, and help the South Australian economy as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Partnering with state and territory governments to invest in more major infrastructure projects across Australia is a key part of our JobMaker plan to rebuild our economy and create more jobs,” the Prime Minister said.
“This funding injection means we have brought forward or provided additional funding in excess of $440 million to South Australia in the past eight months.
“This package builds on the fast tracking of $327 million for infrastructure in South Australia which we announced in November 2019, locking in priority upgrades that will bust congestion, increase productivity, improve safety, and boost jobs at a time we need it most.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack, said the Federal Government had worked closely with state, territory and local governments to identify shovel-ready projects to keep the economy moving and get money flowing back into jobs and businesses as soon as possible.
“This package includes a $52 million Regional Road Network Package, which will build on investments under the Roads of Strategic Importance initiative to deliver pavement treatments, shoulder sealing and safety enhancements to benefit the freight industry and regional communities across the state,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“We will also fund a $12 million higher-capacity North-South Freight Route bypassing Adelaide. This will deliver upgrades along the route between Murray Bridge and the Sturt Highway to remove speed restrictions and improve productivity, with initial works to get under way within six months.
Premier of South Australia, Steven Marshall, said the $145 million infrastructure investment is an important part of the plan to create local jobs and help rebuild the economy.
“This significant infrastructure investment is part of our strong plan to create more South Australian jobs and support local businesses,” Mr Marshall said.
“We have worked very closely with the Federal Government to fast track funding for these shovel-ready projects which will complement our record $12.9 billion infrastructure pipeline here in South Australia.”
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure, Alan Tudge, said the funding injection would deliver shovel-ready projects across South Australia.
“Our investment in road safety infrastructure will transform and modernise the Heysen tunnels under the South Eastern Freeway,” Mr Tudge said.
“We’re also upgrading the freeway to deliver speed-activated signage on the steep descent into Adelaide.”
South Australian Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Stephan Knoll, said the focus on regional road upgrades across the state would stimulate regional economies and improve road safety.
“This massive investment in regional roads will support regional jobs, communities and more importantly, help save lives on our country roads,” Mr Knoll said.
“We are funding a suite of safety improvements across the state which will include fixing Long Valley Road through localised widening, shoulder sealing, intersection treatments, safety barriers and sight distance improvements.
“We are getting these regional projects out the door as quickly as possible to help keep more South Australians in a job and make our country roads safer.
“Over the next four years we are upgrading over 1,000km of country roads to improve safety and help save lives.
“As part of the tender being released, we are seeking to fix approximately 39km of road between the Sturt Highway and Murray Bridge.
“In addition, we are also currently fixing over 300km of country roads across South Australia to support local construction jobs and improve road safety.
“These include fixing 100km of the Ngarkat Highway, 100km of the Browns Well Highway, 67km of Cleve Road and around 12km of the South Eastern Freeway.
“While we are dealing with the immediate impacts on jobs and the economy COVID-19 is having, we are also ensuring we have a record $12.9 billion pipeline of infrastructure works to underpin jobs in the coming years.
“This record level of infrastructure investment in South Australia will give local businesses confidence in the sector so they can create more jobs.”
The Federal Government has now committed more than $9 billion to transport infrastructure in South Australia.
