Remediation works have started on key sections of South Australia’s Sturt Highway, targeting uneven road surfaces between Kingsford and Daveyston to improve safety and rideability for all road users.
The project focuses on two critical sections of the route: an 800-metre stretch near Kingsford (southbound) and a 400-metre section near Shea-Oak Log (northbound). These areas will undergo targeted patching to address uneven surfaces caused by reactive clay soils.
Safer travel for freight and motorists
With more than 13,000 vehicles, including about 2,000 heavy vehicles, using this section of the Sturt Highway every day, the works are vital for maintaining a safe, efficient freight and passenger network across the Barossa region.
A Department for Infrastructure and Transport spokesperson says the upgrades will deliver immediate safety benefits and long-term reliability.
“The Sturt Highway is an important route for local communities and freight operators, and we’re committed to maintaining it to a high standard,” the spokesperson says.
Crews will work Sunday to Friday nights between 7 pm and 6 am to minimise traffic disruption, with all major works expected to be completed by early November 2025. Speed restrictions of 80 km/h will remain in place for several weeks after resurfacing to allow the new asphalt to bed in and achieve full skid resistance.
Improving safety through ongoing maintenance
The department notes that the highway’s reactive clay subgrade will continue to require careful management.
“The underlying soil conditions of this section of the Sturt Highway are reactive clays and continual targeted patching will be required to address uneven surfaces as they develop,” the spokesperson says.
Audio Tactile Line Marking will also be replaced in the coming months to further enhance safety for drivers and freight operators.
The department thanked the community for its understanding.
“We know roadworks and speed restrictions can be inconvenient, and we appreciate the community’s patience while these important works are undertaken,” the spokesperson says.