The Australian Government is continuing its commitment to improve a key freight route to the Mid North and Clare Valley in South Australia by investing an additional $40 million towards the Horrocks Highway upgrades.
The new funding brings the Australian Government’s investment towards the $105 million upgrade project to $84 million. The Horrocks Highway project is jointly funded in an 80:20 split with the South Australian Government.
“This package of works along the Horrocks Highway will boost safety, community connections and freight efficiency along this key route.
“Not only will this have a significant impact for communities and businesses well into the future, it will also support 135 jobs during its construction to provide much-needed short-term economic boost.
“Safer and more efficient highways mean freight can be moved to international and domestic buyers more quickly and tourists can reach their destination sooner, ensuring these important sectors continue to drive our economy,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said.
The additional funding will deliver works to strengthen bridges at Wakefield River, Hutt River and Rocky River as well as upgrade local road junctions, seal shoulders and widen curves. Other works will include installation of safety barriers and Audio Tactile Line Marking and build overtaking lane extensions at Tarlee and Templers.
Once works are completed, the upgraded road will provide motorists with improved safety and “ride quality” while, at the same time, increasing accessibility for local freight networks.
“The Horrocks Highway is a vital route in South Australia, and is a major gateway connecting primary producers and tourists alike from the Clare Valley to the Mid North of our state.
“Upgrading this key route will also improve access for our primary producers and local businesses to domestic and international markets, ensuring their local produce can get to where it needs to,” Finance Minister and Senator for South Australia Simon Birmingham said.
The works covered by the new funding builds on the package of works already underway on Horrocks Highway, which includes installing new overtaking lanes and shoulder sealing at priority sections between Clare and Auburn and south of Giles Corner, upgrades to the Gladstone level crossing, as well as a bridge and a culvert replacement north of Melrose.
“This additional funding for works on the Horrocks Highway is another major win for motorists in the Mid North and Clare Valley and is part of our plan to build a stringer future for our state.
“Thanks to the Marshall Liberal Government’s strong partnership with the Federal Government, more than $2.8 billion has been invested in our country roads – a record amount that’s improving safety and productivity,” South Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Corey Wingard said.
The announcement of new funding for more works on Horrocks Highway is a big win for the thousands of local businesses and residents in the area who rely on this vital route.
“This latest investment will push the works further south improving the “Horrocks” for all, but particularly making it friendlier for the wine and tourism trade coming up from Adelaide.
“The state of our roads, overtime, has probably been the most consistent issue people have raised with me and that is why it is so satisfying to be able to say that government investment in the network is at unprecedented levels.
“We are repairing the highways and the byways of the nation and the importance of that cannot be underestimated for local residents, farmers and tourism operators,” Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said.
Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Australian Government – Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications; Big Rigs; Fullyloaded.com.au