Augusta Highway set to be upgraded as part of $190m Princess Highway Corridor Program
A notorious stretch of highway in SA’s north is set to be upgraded in the wake of a horror triple fatality crash. See where the improvements will occur.
Upper Spencer Gulf
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Key upgrades to a deadly stretch of road providing a major gateway to the state’s north and west have been announced in the wake of a horror triple fatality last month.
The Augusta Highway will receive four major upgrades over the next 18 months as part of the $190m Princes Highway Corridor Program.
The federal government will fund 80 per cent of the upgrades, with the SA government picking up the remaining 20 per cent.
The past year has seen multiple fatalities occur on the highway, most recently when a teenage couple and father were tragically killed shortly after Christmas.
In September last year a 79-year-old woman was killed after her vehicle collided with a truck near Snowtown.
Local Government, Regional Roads and Veterans Affairs Minister, Geoff Brock said the upgrades were crucial for the safety of drivers using the road.
“We’ve got plenty of issues when it comes to the condition of the roads in the Upper Spencer Gulf,” Mr Brock said.
“Within the community there have been concerns about the safety of the Augusta Highway for quite some time.
“When developing these projects we tend to warn the community that to get a better gain you’ve got to have a bit of pain.”
The most significant highway upgrade includes improving the right turning lane from Horrocks Pass Road to Augusta Highway and extending the deceleration lanes for both left and right turns onto Horrocks Pass Road.
A northbound overtaking lane will also be constructed south of the junction, as well as an upgrade of the entry and exit to the existing rest area.
Mr Brock said with the planned expansion of several key industries within the Iron Triangle of Port Pirie, Port Augusta and Whyalla, being pre-emptive was key to ensure roads in the region were in good condition..
“With key industry expansion we’re on the verge of an explosion in the next five years,” he said.
“We need to pop that into a big picture which includes the roads that we need to upgrade.”
Additional junction upgrades are planned for Venning Road, Clements Road and Flinders View Drive, with planned works on all four roads set to include lighting upgrades and new line marking.
Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister, Catherine King said investing in critical regional infrastructure for the Augusta Highway was key for its future.
“The Augusta Highway is a vital route for both travellers and freight, and these upgrades will benefit the lives of South Australians,” Ms King said.
The upgrades are expected to commence early this year and are scheduled to be completed by June 2024.
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