Eyre Peninsula motorists continue to benefit from the Australian and South Australian governments' investment in regional roads, with works commencing this week to construct new overtaking lanes on the Eyre and Lincoln highways.
The works include construction of two overtaking lanes, one northbound and one southbound, and 20 kilometres of shoulder sealing on the Eyre Highway between the Lincoln Highway turn-off and Port Augusta.
Another two overtaking lanes, one northbound and one southbound, will be constructed on the Lincoln Highway between the Eyre Highway turn-off and Whyalla.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said today's announcement is part of the Australian Government's $4.9 billion investment in the Roads of Strategic Importance initiative.
"Nationwide, we are investing in projects like this to help connect regional businesses to local and international markets, and better link up regional communities," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
"This project is about ensuring our key freight roads more efficiently connect agricultural and mining regions to ports, airports and other transport hubs. This will support regional jobs and industries."
South Australia's Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Corey Wingard said the $16 million in upgrades would support 65 full-time-equivalent jobs over the construction period.
"These upgrades will improve safety, freight productivity and efficiency for all road users along these critical transport corridors," Minister Wingard said.
"Together with the Federal Government, we're investing record amounts in our regions to fix country roads, because we are committed to building regional communities, helping save lives and improving business productivity."
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said he was very pleased with the Government's investment in the national road network.
"I was told on a number of occasions that I would never get passing lanes between Port Augusta and Whyalla, but in 2018 we did," Mr Ramsey said.
"This section of road as a high-traffic area is continually raised with me so I am pleased to be able to jointly announce there are to be two more overtaking lanes in each direction.
"Over the years there have been some terrible accidents on the section of road between these two regional centres. More passing lanes will not guarantee safety, but it will certainly help."
Member for Flinders Peter Treloar said the overtaking lanes on Eyre and Lincoln Highways are very much welcomed by the community.
"Overtaking lanes can help improve road safety outcomes and that's what these upgrades are all about - improving road safety in our community," Mr Treloar said.
The Eyre Highway overtaking lanes and shoulder sealing works form part of the $277 million Roads of Strategic Importance initiative, which is jointly funded on an 80:20 basis by the Australian and South Australian governments. This includes $93.75 million to upgrade the Eyre Highway between Port Augusta and the Western Australian border.
The Lincoln Highway overtaking lane works form part of the $330 million South Australian Rural Roads Package, which is also jointly funded (80:20) by the Australian and South Australian governments. As part of this package, $47 million has been allocated to overtaking lane projects across South Australia.
The Eyre and Lincoln Highway works will commence in the first week of September 2021, and are expected to be complete by mid-2022, weather permitting.
Road users are asked to plan ahead, and please take extra care when workers are on site. Observe speed limits, lane restrictions and traffic controllers when travelling through the area.
