Major road projects in doubt with fears review could lead to ‘decades of delays’ in SA

A snap audit has thrown into doubt the future of at least half a billion dollars of SA road investments, sparking concerns the state could be set back by decades.

At least half-a-billion dollars of future SA road investments have been plunged into doubt by the federal government’s national infrastructure spending review.

It has angered the civil construction industry, which has warned the snap audit could set the state back by decades.

Civil Contractors Federation SA, citing “deep concern” across the industry, has identified multiple planned road upgrades under threat by the Albanese government’s review, announced just days away from the May 9 federal budget.

“New project announcements are often followed by years of design and planning works to support the projects’ commencements,” said the federation’s chief executive, Rebecca Pickering.

“This review may lead to decades of delays for these projects that are crucial for the advancement of South Australia.”

Rebecca Pickering, chief executive of Civil Contractors Federation SA

An artist impression of the Hahndorf Main upgrade.

Labor has promised to complete any projects already under construction, as well as those they committed to during the 2022 election campaign.

While this confirms the $15.4bn Torrens to Darlington project – and a $400m level crossing removal at the Marion and Cross roads intersection – will go ahead, it has left many others in doubt.

A $202m Truro bypass proposal – still in planning phases – is among those expected to be reviewed, as well as $13m of safety and signage improvements on the Princes Highway.

An $85m upgrade of the Marion Road and Sir Donald Bradman Drive intersection will also be assessed, though it’s understood the state government is not expecting it to be axed.

The federal government will also review road upgrades around Hahndorf, initially expected to cost $250m before the state government ditched plans to build a new interchange to divert heavy vehicles around the town.

Interchanges at Verdun and Mount Barker will be upgraded instead, as well as the revitalisation of Hahndorf’s main street, at a lower cost.

Map of proposed Truro Bypass. Picture: Dept of Infrastructure

As Labor’s national infrastructure review will take 90 days, any changes won’t be revealed in the May 9 budget.

Federal infrastructure minister Catherine King said the 10-year, $120bn national infrastructure pipeline was filled with significant cost overruns and poorly designed projects left by the Coalition.

“The only way to deal with the mess … is to do a short, sharp review … to make sure we’ve got projects here in the pipeline that are able to be delivered, are properly costed and where the cost overruns are understood,” she told ABC Radio National.

Barker MP Tony Pasin said “cutting or delaying funding to these projects will be a handbrake on economic growth”, while state Opposition transport spokesman Vincent Tarzia said it would “cause a detrimental domino effect on jobs, businesses and our quality of life”.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis said he wouldn’t speculate on which projects would be reviewed.

“The Albanese Labor government … must take the time to assess the true cost of what the former Morrison Coalition government recklessly promised to deliver,” he said.

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