Barrier Highway in SA to be overhauled to improve safety for road users

The Barrier Highway in South Australia will be overhauled, seeing two key junctions upgraded at Whyte Yarcowie and Yunta as well as new rest areas and culvert upgrades that will help improve safety and freight operations in the State’s Mid North. 

The Barrier Highway and Whyte Road in Whyte Yarcowie will receive new lighting, safety barriers, and the road will be rebuilt, widened and spray sealed to allow larger heavy vehicles to turn onto Whyte Road from the highway. 

“Improving road safety, particularly on regional and remote roads, is a priority for our government and we are making significant investment in making our roads safer. 

“Upgrading the Barrier Highway and Whyte Road junction will provide stock carriers an alternative route when transporting sheep from livestock saleyards at Jamestown. 

“The Australian Government is committed to investing in the projects and programs that deliver real benefits to Australians across the country and help people get home safely,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said. 

In Yunta, the junction of Main Street (Tea Tree Road) and Barrier Highway will also be reconstructed, widened and spray sealed to improve safety for heavy vehicles travelling to and from pastoral stations and mining production and exploration areas near Yunta. 

In addition, a new rest area will be delivered at Winnininnie and an existing rest area at Bindarrah will be upgraded. These works will enable drivers the opportunity to pull over and take a break with new shelter and picnic tables. 

This project has received $1,696,800 in funding through the Australian Government’s Heavy Vehicle Rest Area initiative under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program. 

“The State Government is investing in road safety, and freight efficiency is essential for sustaining regional economies. 

“These improvements will not only protect motorists but also help key sectors like agriculture and mining by providing reliable access to important transport corridors. 

“By upgrading these junctions, we’re making the jobs of many transport operators easier, allowing them more room to manoeuvre their vehicles and providing an additional route option when transporting goods. 

“Rest areas are crucial when it comes to preventing fatigue related fatalities and injuries. We encourage drivers to take regular 15-minute breaks every two hours,” SA Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Emily Bourke said. 

Meanwhile, two culverts at Winnininnie and one at Bindarrah will also be upgraded to prevent flooring and road damage while also accommodating the movement of larger heavy vehicles. 

These upgrades are jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian Governments through the $62.5 million Barrier Highway Corridor Upgrade and the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, with the Albanese Government committing $50 million and the Malinauskas Government $12.5 million. 

Early works including service relocations are already complete, and major construction is anticipated to be completed by mid-2026. 

“On average, more than 730 vehicles travel through these junctions on the Barrier Highway each day with 220 of them being heavy vehicles. 

“These vital works build on shoulder widening and sealing, pavement rehabilitation and safety barrier installation on the Barrier Highway between Burra and Riverton. 

“Those upgrades were funded under the Road Safety Program, and were completed in December 2024, improving safety for all drivers. 

“These further investments will provide a welcome economic boost too, supporting an expected 60 full-time-equivalent jobs during the construction period,” Federal Senator for South Australia Karen Grogan said. 

“I sincerely thank the Australian and South Australian Governments for the contribution for these works. 

“These upgrades will greatly improve road safety on the Barrier Highway and will be particularly appreciated by the transport industry and the large number of tourists who frequently use this key highway,” State Member for Stuart Geoff Brock said. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Government of South Australia – Media Releases; Roads & infrastructure Australia