Elsie Adamo
TWO highways in the region have made it onto the RAA’s annual ‘Riskiest Roads’ in South Australia list.
Southern Ports Highway, the stretch of road between Beachport and Millicent, was number two on the list, with a large section of the Princes Highway between Tailem Bend and Mount Gambier listed at number eight.
The list is compiled by popular vote, with South Australian’s submitting which roads they find most dangerous to drive along.
Heather Burdon is a Beachport resident who has been vocal on social media about problems along the Southern Ports Highway and encouraged the community to turn out to vote in the poll.
“Through Facebook I just sort of started rallying the community to report hazards,” Ms Burdon said.
“I have just been watching the disintegration of the road, and how poorly it was maintained.
“Dropping off the edge of these roads and then trying to get back on without having a head on accident with someone coming the other direction is something people have spoken to me about.”
Ms Burdon hopes the listing result will continue to add pressure to the government to fix the problems, which have been listed as potholes, cracks, rutting and crumbling road edges.
“That was the idea of making as many submissions as possible, that it would help us in our cause,” she said.
“The RAA is a great lobby group, and we are hoping that with their effort to speak to State government that we get an outcome.
“Not just a promise of something down the track, but a proper commitment to resurfacing this road, not just maintenance.”
While state highways are a state government responsibility, Wattle Range Council Mayor Des Noll said council has been attempting to work with the government to speed up potential fixes to the road.
“Our Wattle Range council community is very upset about this, and as well they should be,” Mr Noll said.
“As mayor I fully support what they are saying about our roads, and have been advocating strongly.”
Despite delays Mr Noll said he is hopeful the road will be on the mend soon after recently showing transport minister Corey Wingard the highway.
“He [Wingard] is very aware, and I have got to say he is trying his best to overcome these issues,” he said.
“These things take time.”
The State government have routinely placed blame of the massive backlog of country road maintenance onto the previous Labor governments slow action.
Corey Wingard did not respond to a request for comment on the matter.
