Sturt Highway Upgrades Ready to Roll

The Federal and SA State governments are gearing up to fund upgrades of the Sturt Highway, as well as intersection upgrades near Mount Gambier and Penola, with Tenders now open for the projects.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said Sturt Highway works would include bridge widening, strengthening and barrier installation in addition to overtaking lanes and shoulder sealing works already contracted.

“These upgrades are another example of the Australian Government’s funding the infrastructure communities and businesses need to thrive,” Mr Chester said.

South Australian Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Stephen Mullighan said a further tender had been called to upgrade and widen four intersections near Mount Gambier and Penola.

“These intersection improvements, totalling $4.1 million, will improve turning movements for B-Doubles, making life easier for businesses and safer for all road users,” Mr Mullighan said.

Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the upgrades meant higher productivity vehicles such as road trains would be able to use key regional freight routes.

“This is about helping our regional primary producers and other key industries get their products to market safely and efficiently, boosting the South Australian economy,” Mr Pasin said.

The four intersections to be upgraded are:

• the Penola to Casterton Road junction with Tower Road,

• the Riddoch Highway intersection with Wandilo Forest and Ridge Roads,

• the Riddoch Highway junction with Kilsby Road, and

• the Mount Gambier to Nelson Road junction with Kilsby Road

These $4.1 million intersection upgrades, funded under the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme, are jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian governments.

Construction of the upgrades is expected to start in coming months, with intersection upgrades expected to be completed by mid-2018, and Sturt Highway works by December 2018.