South Australia has been announced as the next state to receive funding from the federal government’s regional level crossing upgrade fund (RLCUF).
The SA government will initially receive $6.2 million from the federal government, which will go towards a program of works to be delivered in partnership with rail infrastructure managers.
The proposed list includes six projects worth $12.4 million that will deliver priority upgrades to 18 locations in regional areas of SA’s road network, with one of the projects to form a multi-site project and cover 13 locations.
Majority of the works will focus on the mid-north SA towns of Jamestown and Mannanarie, which will receive a combined nine upgrades. Three level crossings in Caltowie will be upgraded along with two in Gladstone and one each in Warnertown, Crystal Brook, Coonalpyn and Quorn.
Funded upgrades include road sealing and markings, along with the installation of boom gates, audible warning devices, updated signage and LED flashing lights to increase the crossings’ visibility.
The funding to SA comes after the federal government announced that New South Wales was the first state on track to upgrade its level crossings through the RLCUF.
Through the fund, the federal government has committed $160 million over four years to state and territory governments to fund up to 50 per cent of the cost of delivering railway level crossing upgrades.
The RLCUF aims to improve level crossing safety across regional areas and reduce serious injuries and fatal crashes at them.
The SA government says all six level crossing upgrade projects are expected to be completed by 2027.