Heavy construction on South Rd fix unlikely to start until 2024, but hundreds of early jobs
SA’s biggest ever infrastructure project won’t start for years but as Labor calls for it to get going to stimulate the economy, the government says hundreds of new jobs are still imminent.
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Industry figures have been told that heavy construction on the long-awaited upgrades to the final stretches of the South Road freeway are unlikely to start until late in 2024.
A construction sector industry briefing published by the Department of Infrastructure and Transport, dated August 4, features a timeline for the North-South Corridor project and shows work expected this year on a business case as well as approvals and early enabling work.
But formal construction is not slated until after mid- 2024. The Government says the early works, planned between this year and 2024, will employ hundreds of people.
The State Government is yet to decide if it will opt for a twin tunnel to complete the works in built-up areas around Anzac Highway, or go for road widening at the surface.
Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas said that documents revealed yet another delay on the infrastructure project, when SA desperately needed to stimulate activity.
“This delay and indecision from Premier Steven Marshall on South Road is not just costing us a corridor that is an important piece of infrastructure, but jobs when we need it most,” he said.
“They have done nothing (since being elected).
“All of the projects that were announced and funded under Labor are now either finished, or coming to an end and not being replaced”.
Latest ABS figures show SA has added 20,000 jobs in the past two months as coronavirus restrictions have begun to lift. But there are still 70,900 South Australians who want a job and can’t find one, 19,800 more people than in January.
Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe and Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday urged state governments to spend much more on infrastructure to accelerate the economic recovery.
Mr Marshall was the first state leader to announce a local stimulus package, and has committed about $1 billion. However, he has been criticised by the Opposition for spending less than other states when measured as a proportion of the local economy.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Corey Wingard said all timelines provided on South Road had been indicative and it was important to get the design and build right.
“We can’t and won’t rush a decision of this magnitude which will deliver one of the biggest job creating projects in the state’s history,” he said.