A series of planning studies will be centred around improvements to several major South Australian transport corridors.
The SA Government is calling for tenders to develop strategic planning studies and business cases for the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass, Murray Bridge to South East Links, Eyre Peninsula and Far North Area plans, and Eyre Highway upgrades from Port Augusta to the Western Australia border.
The project is jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian governments on a 50:50 basis. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce says $17 million will be allocated to the planning work that will be used to inform priorities and investments needed on freight networks to support economic growth and the needs of regional areas.
He adds that the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass will decongest the freeway to allow for faster travel.
South Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Corey Wingard added that the studies were necessary to meet the freight needs associated with a growing population and expanding regional centres.
“The South Australian and Australian governments are working together to build what matters to South Australians and provide critical freight infrastructure that can improve productivity and reduce freight costs,” Wingard said.
“Planning studies are crucial to our understanding of how the road corridors are used and to identify any current problems and issues, or opportunities for future investment.
“The Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass will enable some trucks to be diverted from the South Eastern Freeway onto the regional north-south freight route and the Sturt Highway.
“The Murray Bridge to South East Links includes key planning into the costs and benefits for the duplication of the Princes Highway and Swanport Bridge between Murray Bridge and the Mallee Highway.
“The Eyre Highway upgrade planning study will be used to develop a business case into the costs and benefits of providing access for triple road trains from the Western Australia border through to Port Augusta.
“This, plus duplication of the Joy Baluch bridge, widening of intersections in Ceduna and Thevenard and widening and realignment of the intersection of the Eyre and Lincoln Highways will form part of a connected high productivity heavy freight network and provide priority for vehicles travelling on the Eyre Highway.
“The Eyre Peninsula and Far North Area plans will provide recommendations to support economic growth, the needs of regional communities and freight productivity with investments in road networks and regional remote aviation access.”
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey says the studies are about ensuring key freight roads more efficiently connect agricultural and mining regions to ports, airports and other transport hubs.
“Any freight bypass of Adelaide will necessarily come through the Grey electorate and will allow for economic expansion along the corridor,” Ramsey said.
“The freight task to and from the regions to the north and west of Adelaide are increasing and will continue to do so. The more efficient movement of all those products will benefit all South Australians.”