Federal cash goes to improving surface and drainage of strategic link
An upgrade of Yorkeys Crossing will begin tomorrow and last perhaps seven weeks, according to South Australia’s Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI).
The $350,000 upgrade is funded by the Australian Government’s Roads to Recovery initiative and equates to 0.5 per cent of what the Civil Contractors Federation of SA (CCFSA) says is necessary to bring the Port Augusta heavy vehicle bypass up to scratch.
CCFSA CEO Phil Sutherland in March described the full project as a “no-brainer” on infrastructure-value and job-creation grounds but the SA governments is yet to be convinced the projected gains warrant a $60 million investment.
The project includes pavement construction, drainage improvements and installation of guide posts on a 2.6km section of the unsealed road north of Port Augusta.
It aims to improve ride quality and safety for road users including heavy vehicles, local pastoralists, and tourists and will assist this section of road to drain during wet weather events.
DPTI says works will occur 7am-5pm on weekdays and weekends over 11-day blocks with three-day breaks to minimise disruption, though how recent wet weather will affect operations is yet to be gauged.
According to local media reports, weather events have served to undermine departmental assurances on the link’s operability under adverse conditions in the past and lack of action on sealing it has been a source of local irritation for years.
The road will remain open to traffic, with a 25 km/h speed restriction in place while workers are on site.
Lane and other speed restrictions may apply subject to onsite conditions.
The works are expected to be completed by the end of June 2016, weather permitting.
DPTI thanks motorists for their patience while these important works are undertaken.