Labor would fast-track South Rd construction if it won government, Anthony Albanese says

Construction on the next stage of South Rd would be fast-tracked under a $95 million Labor Government initiative.

• Budget provides $1.5 billion for SA to finish North-South Corridor
• Federal Labor pledges $1.2 billion towards North-South Corridor
• Battle for SA’s most marginal seat kicks off

Construction on the next stage of South Rd will be fast-tracked under a $95 million Labor government initiative.

The funding, a down payment on its $2.7 billion commitment to the project, would be available within its “first few months” if the federal Opposition wins office in May.

Labor infrastructure spokesman Anthony Albanese said works would focus on the section of South Rd between the Glenelg tram overpass and Tonsley.

South Road, looking south from the Glenelg tram overpass. Picture: AAP / Dean Martin

“(South Australia) needs investment in infrastructure now to create jobs and economic activity in the short term, while delivering the productivity gains that will drive future economic jobs growth,” Mr Albanese said.

“A federal Labor Government would invest as much on this single project in its first year as the Morrison Government has promised in extra infrastructure spend for the entire state of South Australia over the next four years.”

The Federal Government, ahead of the Budget last week, announced it would fund a further $1.5 billion for the North South Corridor, taking the total spend to $2.7 billion.

However, it was unclear how much of the South Rd funding has been earmarked in the Budget’s four-year forward estimates — officials confirming that $1.9 billion in total federal infrastructure funds would come to SA between now and 2023.

When The Advertiser asked Treasurer Josh Frydenberg what guarantee he could give to voters that the projects would go ahead, he said the North South corridor was a big commitment.

“It is a 10-year plan with money out the door now, and money out the door in forwards and beyond,” Mr Frydenberg said.

“You’ve got to work to timetables, you’ve got to work with State Governments, you’ve got to put all of this machinery in place to roll out that level of infrastructure.”

But Mr Albanese said South Australia does not need more grand Coalition promises of funding in the “Never Never”.

“Without ongoing investment in transformative projects like the South Rd upgrade, the annual economic cost of congestion in Adelaide alone will more than double to $3.8 billion by 2031.”