$660m for SA safety travel in federal budget road boast

SA will get $660m in infrastructure spending in this month’s federal budget, with upgrades for the south’s busiest thoroughfares including Marion Rd and Southern Expressway.

South Australia will get $660 million in infrastructure spending in this month’s federal budget, spearheaded by $200 million towards reducing congestion in Adelaide’s south.

The money, which was a Labor promise at May’s election, will pay for the removal of the Marion Rd level crossing and upgrade Marion Rd between Cross Road and Anzac Highway.

The Commonwealth will also provide $60 million to build on-ramps and off-ramps for the Southern Expressway at Majors Rd designed to cut traffic on Brighton Road.

The Government says the money will remove a major blockage for locals’ daily commute, improve safety for motorists and pedestrians, “and create business opportunities across the region with improved transport flows and better amenity.”

South Australia will also share in the $1.5 billion Freight Highway Upgrade Program which provide upgrades to the interstate Tanami Road and the Dukes, Stuart and Augusta highways.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said sound and planned infrastructure investment creates South Australian jobs, builds opportunity and unlocks economic growth and productivity for Adelaide and the regions.

“It’s about making journeys quicker, but also making sure South Australians can get home to their families safely,” he said.

The Southern Expressway at Majors Rd. Picture: File

“Through our first Budget, my team is getting on with the job of delivering projects in consultation with Infrastructure Australia and all levels of Government to make a real difference to the lives of Australians.”

Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said roads are the lifeblood of communities across SA and improving safety and travel time was important for local families and the economy.

“Our Government will upgrade important road corridors across the state, getting locals home more safely and more quickly,” she said.

“These significant infrastructure projects will help future proof the region and give residents and businesses back their time – less time stuck in traffic and more time doing the things they want to do.”

The announcement of infrastructure spending for SA in the budget came as the PM addressed the party faithful at the ALP state conference in Sydney at which he announced the expansion of paid parental leave to six months.

Billed as a homecoming for the first time as Prime Minister, Mr Albanese became emotional as he talked about his mother “who was never a delegate” or “sought or held” a party position and “never asked for anything”.

“In that, she was just like tens of thousands of other branch members over the years,” he said.

Mr Albanese said that in ten days, Treasurer Jim Chalmers would deliver the first Labor Budget in a decade that he promised would be “responsible, fair and reforming” and would close the book “on a wasted decade that has weakened our economy and held back our nation”.