Works to deliver four new overtaking lanes are now underway along the Eyre Highway and Lincoln Highway in South Australia to provide motorists in the Eyre Peninsula better connections and safer journeys along these routes.
On the Eyre Highway, two overtaking lanes – one northbound and one southbound – are being constructed along with 20 kilometres worth of shoulder sealing between the Lincoln Highway turn-off and Port Augusta.
Two more overtaking lanes – one northbound and one southbound – are being built on the Lincoln Highway between the Eyre Highway turn-off and Whyalla.
“Nationwide, we are investing in projects like this to help connect regional businesses to local and international markets, and better link up regional communities.
“This project is about ensuring our key freight roads more efficiently connect agricultural and mining regions to ports, airports and other transport hubs. This will support regional jobs and industries,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said.
The overtaking lanes and shoulder sealing works on the Eyre Highway are part of the $277 million Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) initiative that is jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian Governments on an 80:20 basis – which includes $93.75 million Eyre Highway Upgrade between Port Augusta and the Western Australian border.
On the other hand, the Lincoln Highway overtaking lanes are delivered as part of the $330 million South Australian Rural Roads Package – also jointly funded by the Australian and State Governments on an 80:20 basis. This significant allocates $47 million for overtaking lane projects across South Australia.
The projects on the Eyre and Lincoln highway have a combined value of $16 million and will support up to 65 full-time equivalent jobs during the construction period.
“These upgrades will improve safety, freight productivity and efficiency for all road users along these critical transport corridors.
“Together with the Federal Government, we’re investing record amounts in our regions to fix country roads, because we are committed to building regional communities, helping save lives and improving business productivity,” SA Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Corey Wingard said.
According to Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey, he is pleased with the significant invest from the Government for the national road network.
“I was told on a number of occasions that I would never get passing lanes between Port Augusta and Whyalla, but in 2018 we did.
“This section of road as a high-traffic area is continually raised with me so I am pleased to be able to jointly announce there are to be two more overtaking lanes in each direction.
“Over the years there have been sone terrible accidents on the section of road between these two regional centres. More passing lanes will not guarantee safety, but it will certainly help,” Mr Ramsey said.
Member for Flinders Peter Treloar said that the community welcomes the new overtaking lanes on the Eyre and Lincoln highways.
“Overtaking lanes can help improve road safety outcomes and that’s what these upgrades are all about – improving road safety in our community,” Mr Treloar said.
Construction on the overtaking lanes is due to be completed by mid-2022, weather permitting.
All road users are encouraged to plan ahead and be cautious of workers on site while passing through as well as to observe speed limits, lane restriction and traffic controllers.
Source: Premier of South Australia – Media Releases; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Government of South Australia – Department for Infrastructure and Transport (1, 2); Port Lincoln Times