Elsie Adamo
THE South East section of the Princes Highway may finally see some upgrades later this year.
The Princes Highway Corridor Upgrade, which was announced in 2020, has so far only focused on upgrades within a 150km radius of Adelaide, with no works undertaken or officially announced in the South East.
The Limestone Coast region has been identified as needing every type of upgrade listed in the project, including safety barrier installations, additional and extended overtaking lanes, audio tactile line markings, new and upgraded rest areas, and pavement resealing and rehabilitation.
In 2018 the Federal Government in the Princes Highway Corridor Strategy identified priority locations where additional overtaking lanes were needed across the three states the highway passes through.
Of the 16 identified, four were in the Limestone Coast.
Transport Minister Corey Wingard did not respond to questions on how the project has been prioritised, but said works may begin on the Princes Highway in the Limestone Coast later this year.
“Subject to approvals, works are expected to commence in the second half of 2022, with completion expected early 2024, weather permitting,” Mr Wingard said.
“Included in our massive investment is $250 million for the Princes Highway Corridor Program which will see targeted upgrades including road widening and shoulder sealing.
“The program was recently bolstered with an additional $20 million in funding taking the total to $270 million.
“As part of that program, approximately $135 million in works will be carried out between Meningie and the South Australian border.”
Mr Wingard said that the previous Labor government caused a massive backlog of works needed around South Australia.
“Our regional roads were neglected for years by the former Labor government who refused to invest in vital road safety and regional infrastructure projects,” he said
“We inherited a $750 million maintenance backlog that is being worked through with our $373 million in vital road maintenance and upgrade works.”
