Federal Budget to provide $1.5 billion for SA to finish North-South Corridor

South Australia’s most ambitious infrastructure project will finally be completed after Prime Minister Scott Morrison pledged a further $1.5 billion for the North-South Corridor.

South Australia’s most ambitious infrastructure project will finally be completed after Prime Minister Scott Morrison pledged a further $1.5 billion for the North-South Corridor.

The new promise means tomorrow night’s Federal Budget will include $2.7 billion for the project, which will create a non-stop 78km route from Gawler to Old Noarlunga. That figure includes a $1.2 billion commitment in last year’s Budget.

Mr Morrison told The Advertiser the funding would help complete the final “key central section” of the South Rd redevelopment.

The two stages, totalling 10.5km, stretch from the River Torrens to Anzac Highway and from Anzac Highway to Darlington.

The 67.5km of the corridor route that has been completed or is under construction has so far cost the state and federal governments $4.3 billion.

However, the final two stages are expected to cost in excess of $5 billion. The exact figure is still to be determined, with the State Government considering a range of options, including tunnels.

Artist impression of proposed tunnels under South Rd for the North-South Corridor.

Other sections of South Rd, which stretches from Adelaide’s north to south, have already been upgraded under a Coalition promise to complete the work within a decade.

Tomorrow’s funding announcement will ensure the project can be completed.

The State Government will be expected to match the funding and, along with the Opposition, will be keeping a close eye on how much money is allocated over the next four years.

Where the possible tunnels would run under South Rd.

Last year’s Budget included $1.2 billion for the North-South Corridor but the Government faced accusations from the Opposition that it was “all smoke and mirrors” when documents showed $177 million was allocated over the forward estimates.

The State Government has not been concerned, arguing work on the project is not expected to start until 2022 and the money is locked away in a 10-year infrastructure budget established to provide states and territories with certainty.

Any money announced in the forward estimates tomorrow is expected to be focused on compulsorily acquiring properties to make way for the road.

The Avoca Hotel on South Rd, owned by the RSL, is among properties which have faced an uncertain future.

The organisation’s chief executive for SA and NT, Kim Henshaw, has previously said the building would be for sale at a reasonable price.

RSL CEO Kim Henshaw at the Avoca Hotel, which is in the path of the wrecking ball — should the South Rd upgrade be finished. Picture: AAP / Dean Martin

The RAA said it welcomed news of the funding. The state’s leading mobility organisation has been lobbying for a non-stop link between Gawler and Noarlunga.

RAA’s General Manager Government & Public Policy Jayne Flaherty said finishing the North-South Corridor will enable South Australia to realise the full benefit of nearly $5 billion already invested in the motorway and unlock the state’s true economic potential.

“RAA represents the interests of more than 730,000 South Australians, and completing the non-stop North-South Corridor is the most important federal road infrastructure project in South Australia, according to a recent survey of RAA members,’’ she said.

Mr Morrison said his South Australian colleagues had made sure the North-South Corridor was at the top of the agenda for the Federal Budget.

“This investment is about getting Australians home sooner and safer. I want people to spend less time in traffic and more time doing what’s important to them,” he said.

Federal Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge said completing the North-South Corridor would make a huge difference for the people of Adelaide.

“It’s been truly great to work with the Marshall Liberal Government on the remaining stages, which will be the most complex,” he said. “But they are progressing well so we can get on with delivering the final section.”

The connector is the biggest infrastructure project in South Australia’s history, ahead of the new $2.3 billion Royal Adelaide Hospital and the $1.8 billion desalination plant.

Federal and state Labor have also been long supporters of the project, which started with the construction of the Gallipoli Underpass in 2007.

Other SA projects in the Federal Budget include:

GOODWOOD and Torrens Junction, $189.4 million;

JOY Baluch Bridge, $160 million;

OAKLANDS Crossing, $95 million;

CROSS Rd-Fullarton Intersection, $30.5 million;

GOODWOOD, Springbank and Daws Road Intersection Upgrade, $17.5 million, and;

PORTRUSH Rd-Magill Road intersection, $49 million.

Councils will benefit from a $2.2 billion roads package announced last week.

The Local Government Association has also called for a continuation of a $20 million a year supplementary road funding deal that made up for a shortfall in SA.