New Dukes Highway Overtaking Lanes In Time for Christmas

New overtaking lanes and an overtaking lane extension on the Dukes Highway will be completed in time for Christmas and the busy New Year period.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese said these works will greatly improve the safety of holiday-makers looking to get away for the festive season.

“The busy Adelaide to Melbourne corridor is becoming busier as people head out for holidays or to see relatives and loved ones," Mr Albanese said.

“These new overtaking lanes will add an extra degree of safety to the Dukes Highway. International research shows that crashes on two lane highways can be reduced by up to 25 percent simply by providing overtaking lanes.”

The package of work includes:

• A new overtaking lane for eastbound traffic and an overtaking lane extension for westbound traffic five kilometres west of Coomandook.
• A new overtaking lane for westbound traffic two kilometres west of Tintinara.
• A new overtaking lane for eastbound traffic 25 kilometres east of Keith, together with an upgrade of the junctions at Wirrega North Road and Black Joes Road.

Minister for Road Safety Jennifer Rankine said the installation of the overtaking lanes is one of a number of strategies aimed at reducing road trauma on the Dukes Highway.

Others include the installation of wide centrelines (with further works between Yumali and Culburra and Tintinara and Bordertown), removal of roadside hazards, installation of rest areas and road safety barriers.

This project is funded through the $100 million joint contribution for the South Australian side of the Adelaide to Melbourne corridor, with the Federal Government contributing $80 million and the State Government $20 million.

"Please take care when overtaking—I want everyone to arrive and return home from their travels safely," Ms Rankine said.

www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/road_projects