The South Australian budget will invest in transport and infrastructure to increase safety, tackle congestion and improve public transport.
The state budget outlines $1.1 billion dollars for regional road projects and upgrades, $3.7 billion for new project funding to upgrade metropolitan roads and intersections and nearly $200 million for public transport projects.
Regional roads
The state government has committed $1.1 billion over the next eight years for regional road projects and infrastructure upgrades across the state.
The funding is aimed at creating roads and infrastructure to reduce the road toll and build regional communities.
Highlights of the budget include: $125 million to upgrade South Australia’s section of Eyre Highway, $250 million for a Princes Highway upgrade and $143 million for general road maintenance, including adding overtaking lanes and shoulder sealing.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephan Knoll said the majority of road deaths occur in our regions and while there are many factors to an accident, the condition of the road can play a significant part. “That’s why we are investing record levels of new funding to make our country roads safer,” he said.
The initiatives are on top of the existing annual regional maintenance program worth $237 million over four years.
The investment will be supported by the government’s commitment to make 30 per cent of mineral and petroleum royalties available to the Regional Roads and Infrastructure Fund over four years.
Congestion
The budget announcement included $3.7 billion for new project funding to upgrade metropolitan roads and intersections as well as completing the North-South Corridor.
“The Marshall Government is building a pipeline of metropolitan road upgrades to bust congestion, reduce travel times and improve safety on Adelaide’s roads,” said Mr. Knoll.
Key projects featured in the budget include the Torrens Road and Brighton Road level crossings, $89 million for upgrades to four major metropolitan intersections and $60 million for the Goodwood, Springbank and Daws Road intersection upgrade.
“We have an ambition to increase our population growth and these infrastructure upgrades will help support a growing population. The government is making our roads safer for all road users, from motorists through to cyclists and pedestrians,” said Mr. Knoll.
Seven intersections will be upgraded in total on top of the two level crossing removals.
Mr. Knoll also promised all other sections of the North-South Corridor will either be complete or under construction by the end of this year.
Public transport infrastructure
The state budget outlined significant funding to develop and implement key public transport reforms.
The funding is aimed at providing a better service for customers and driving patronage growth.
The Gawler line electrification will receive the bulk of funding with $615 million. The Tonsley rail line will be extended to the Flinders Medical Center and will have a new station built.
Mr. Knoll said South Australia has one of the lowest public transport patronage rates in the country.
“The Marshall Government is reforming our public transport network to drive patronage by providing a better and more customer focussed service,” he said.
The government also promised the establishment of the South Australian Transport Authority.
“We will continue to explore new innovative technologies that will improve the service we can provide to South Australians, including on-demand bus trials. This reform process will not happen overnight and we will continue to roll out measures and build public transport infrastructure over the coming weeks, months and years,” Mr. Knoll said.
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