MEDIA RELEASE

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport,
Regional Development and Local Government

The Australian Coat of Arms

13 May 2008
BUDGET-INFRA 05/2008

FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA TOPS $277 MILLION

The Rudd Government will invest over $277 million in nation-building road and rail projects in South Australia - including $86 million to make an early start on election commitments.

Urgent action is needed to fix Australia's over-stretched transport networks and to build infrastructure to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

That's why we're getting a head start on $86.1 million worth of projects that weren't due to commence in South Australia until 2009-10, as well as delivering projects to upgrade interstate transport networks and critical freight corridors.

South Australia's Budget infrastructure package will deliver on our election commitments, tackle major bottlenecks and help make our roads safer.

Our $86.1 million to make an early start on election commitments includes:

  • $60 million to deliver the 23 kilometre Northern Expressway and upgrade Port Wakefield Road by 2010;

  • $12.6 million for planning the South Road upgrade;

  • $12 million for safety upgrades along the Dukes Highway including overtaking lanes, rest areas and road surfacing;

  • $1 million for a comprehensive Adelaide rail freight movements study, including examining moving the main freight rail line through Belair north of the Adelaide Hills; and

  • $0.5 million for planning a $7.0 million upgrade of the intersection of Victor Harbor Road and Main South Road.

Overall the 2008-9 Budget investment in South Australian transport infrastructure allocates:

  • $189.9 million for construction and maintenance on South Australia's
    5,315 kilometres of road and rail National Land Transport Network;

  • $4.2 million for 22 AusLink Strategic Regional projects promoting regional development;

  • $30.3 million for local roads under the Roads to Recovery Program which is in addition to the $31.7 million allocated to roads under Federal Financial Assistance Grants and $14.2 million of supplementary funding for local roads;

  • $3.6 million on funding roads in unincorporated areas under State Government control; and

  • $3.9 million to eliminate 22 road safety black spots'.

The Government will continue to implement its land transport infrastructure election commitments from 2009-10 to 2013-14 with timing and specific funding arrangements to be negotiated with the states and territories during 2008.

Back

Media Contacts

Jeff Singleton ( Mr Albanese's Office ) 0410 476 890

 

URL: http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2008/May/budget-infra_05-2008.htm