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SA Budget to invest in driver training

Freight routes feature in hefty road infrastructure spend

In one of the few state Budgets that has specific aid to the transport and logistics sector, South Australia confirms it will spend $5.9 million over four years on driver training reform.

Alongside the regular slew of road infrastructure building, the package aims to implement driver training reforms for the light and heavy vehicles industries, and ongoing expenditure to administer the new reforms.

“The driver training reforms include the implementation of an online register, mandatory driver training and assessment, vehicle requirements, higher eligibility and entry requirements and mandatory cameras in vehicles,” treasurer Rob Lucas’ Budget papers state.

Meanwhile, there is cash for business cases on three major freight routes: $10 million over two years for the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass; $5 million over two years  for the Augusta Highway Duplication – Stage 3 (Port Pirie to Crystal Brook); and $2 million over two years for Eyre Highway widening and upgrade. 


Read about what’s in store for NSW roads in its state budget, here


As with other states, many of the costings have a 20 per cent federal component. Major items include:

  • $202 million over three years – Truro Bypass of the township and upgrade to Accommodation Hill on the Sturt Highway, the major road freight corridor connecting South Australia and New South Wales.
  • $180 million over four years – Augusta Highway Duplication Stage 2 (Nantawarra to Lochiel)
  • $105 million in 2022-23 – Road safety package extension, to bring total funding to $315 million over three years
  • $80 million over two years – Strzelecki Track additional funding to bring total funding to $215mworks over five years.
  • $60 million over two years – Heysen Tunnel refit and upgrade bringing the total funding to $75 million.
  • $45 million over three years – Marion Road and Sir Donald Bradman Drive intersection upgrade
  • Upgrade the Marion Road and Sir Donald Bradman Drive intersection. These works will alleviate capacity constraints and improve access to Adelaide Airport.
  • $34.5 million over three years – Port Wakefield additional resources for overpass construction and to extend the dual carriageway. Total project cost $124.5 million
  • $40 million over three years – Kangaroo Island road upgrades
  • $15 million in 2022-23 – APY Lands road upgrade additional funding, bringing total funding to $156.8 million.
  • $6m over two years – Nottage Terrace and North East Road intersection upgrade

A revised North-South Corridor preliminary estimate puts the project at $9.9 billion, which “reflects an updated road layout which includes wider tunnels to allow for three lanes, informed by updated traffic modelling projecting increased traffic volumes.

“Estimates will be finalised on completion of the business case.”

The tunnels will connect the north and the south of greater Adelaide with a 78km motorway.

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