SOUTH Australia’s peak transport lobby group says the Federal Government’s $200m Princes Highway pledge could be spent on areas around Mount Gambier as well as the Augusta Highway.
The recently released budget says $1b for improvements will be informed by the Princes Highway Corridor Strategy, initiated by the Commonwealth Government.
However, the Princes Highway corridor, as defined by the Federal Infrastructure Department, ranges from Mount Gambier in the south to Port Augusta in the north.
South Australian Freight Council executive officer Evan Knapp said the group’s priority would see funds spent on the Augusta Highway.
He said large growth was expected in Whyalla and Port Augusta.
However, he said localised funding could be spent on the section from Mount Gambier to Millicent.
While conceding the Coorong stretch of road was “not in good condition”, Mr Knapp said the amount of traffic per day and truck travel would make major upgrades negligible.
Meanwhile, Member for MacKillop Nick McBride welcomed the funding, saying it would help improve the safety of the transport corridor.
“The Princes Highway connects popular tourist towns and communities to major regional centres,” he said.
“Improvements such as shoulder sealing will lead to safer roads for all who use them, particularly those who drive heavy vehicles.
“I congratulate the Federal Government for listening to our concerns and committing to improving our freight routes.”
Limestone Coast Local Government Association chair Erika Vickery said the South East leg of the corridor has been identified as needing upgrades.
She said constituent councils and the wider community have expressed concerns about the roads and its narrowness.
An RAA spokesperson said although the funding was a surprise, the motor organisation welcomed the windfall given the “poor sections” of the highway.
The spokesperson said RAA will continue to call for the next federal government to commit to the staged duplication of the Dukes Highway, as well as the inclusion of Riddoch Highway on the National Highway Network.
