New SA government enjoys first major road infrastructure announcement
The South Australian Freight Council (SAFC) has given a qualified welcome to the joint announcement on progressing the “critical” Regency Road to Pym Street portion of the North South Corridor (NSC).
For the SAFC, project completion will link the South Road Superway and ‘Torrens to Torrens’ projects, offering the “greatest benefits to both the freight industry and general public”.
“This is great news for South Australia – but there is still a lot of work to be done,” SAFC executive officer Evan Knapp says.
“Most South Australians would be aware that road freight and warehousing activity is concentrated in Adelaide’s north-west, with easy access to the port and airport precincts.
“This project is critical in supporting these industries, which in turn, support all economic activity in South Australia.
“We note that this project is funded on a 50-50 basis, which is below the usual 80-20 split for projects on the national key freight route network.
“However, should this enable the Commonwealth to provide funding for additional infrastructure projects in SA in the upcoming federal Budget, it will be a significant win for the state.
“Furthermore, the recommitment of the Turnbull government to the former Abbott government’s promise to complete the North-South Corridor by 2023 is significant.
“If this timeframe is to be met, further project announcements along the corridor will be required in quick succession – and SAFC keenly awaits those progressive funding announcements.
“SAFC’s preferred position is for the North South Corridor to be built from North to South, continuing next with the Torrens River to Richmond Road segment, extending the uninterrupted length of road – and then to progress further south as further funds are committed.”
The federal and state governments will each commit $177 million to deliver this $354 million project, which will connect the South Road Superway to the Torrens to Torrens project via a new 1.8km, six-lane non-stop motorway.
The section had been listed by Infrastructure Australia as a ‘priority’ project addressing a nationally-significant problem.
“I am delighted that the incoming Marshall government has so quickly come to the table to progress this vital next stage of the North South Corridor—allowing the two governments to reach an early funding deal,” federal urban infrastructure and cities minister Paul Fletcher says.
“Delivery of this next stage, Regency Road to Pym Street, will complete a continuous 47 kilometre non-stop motorway between Gawler and the River Torrens.
“This project will improve road safety, reduce travel times by up to eight minutes between Regency Road to Pym Street during peak periods along the North-South Corridor and deliver 210 new jobs per annum for South Australia.”
South Australian minister for transport, infrastructure and local government Stephan Knoll says both governments were working closely to deliver key infrastructure projects across the state.
“Works currently under construction along the North-South Corridor include the Darlington Upgrade, the Torrens to Torrens project and the Northern Connector,” Knoll says.
“Projects like these are creating thousands of jobs for South Australians, tackling congestion, and improving regional connectivity.
“The Marshall Government will seek to work constructively with the Federal Government to deliver more funding to complete important infrastructure projects like the North-South Corridor.
“A few days after being sworn-in as Minister I travelled to Canberra to begin repairing our relationship with the Federal Government that the previous State Labor administration had destroyed.”
Construction works on Regency Road to Pym Street are expected to begin in 2019.