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RAA has welcomed new details revealed in Senate Estimates on Thursday that the Federal Government has committed $525 million toward the Adelaide Hills Freight Bypass project.
The $525 million Federal Government commitment towards the more than $1 billion total project cost will need to be matched by the State Government.
At this stage RAA understands the project will include:
Senior Manager of Infrastructure and Road Safety Charles Mountain said the funding commitment was welcome news, and RAA was eagerly awaiting more project details.
“The Adelaide Hills Freight Bypass has been a priority for RAA for a number of years,” Mr Mountain said.
“At this stage we understand the project will include the duplication of the Swanport Bridge, a Truro Township bypass, upgrades to the Monarto interchange and realignment of key intersections and construction of overtaking lanes between Monarto and the Sturt Highway.”
Mr Mountain said the Adelaide Hills Freight Bypass was an important project to remove some large trucks from the South Eastern Freeway and the Adelaide’s outer ring route.
“Once complete, this freight bypass will improve productivity and make our regional roads safer,” Mr Mountain said.
“The bypass will enable some heavy freight vehicles – particularly the larger B-doubles and trucks – to be diverted around the back of the Adelaide hills.
“This would enable more freight moving east to west across the country to be diverted from the down track of the South Eastern Freeway, Portrush Road and Cross Road to plug into the Sturt and Augusta Highways from the bypass.
“Sadly, in South Australia we’re all too familiar with the spate of tragic accidents at the bottom of the freeway from out-of-control trucks.
“This bypass will mean fewer trucks and a safer freeway and metropolitan roads.”