RAA outlines its major project wishlist, but says SA cannot afford to ignore worsening road maintenance backlogs

SA’s peak motoring body has big ideas to improve regional highways and suburban traffic flow – but not at the expense of a growing backlog of crucial maintenance projects.

RAA has welcomed the state government’s delivery of the $15.4bn Torrens to Darlington project but says it must not come at the expense of other key upgrades and road maintenance.

A wishlist of infrastructure that RAA is advocating for includes improvements to northern suburbs east-west links and building a third arrester bed at the end of the South Eastern Freeway.

Regionally, RAA is pushing for duplication of the National Highway Network’s Augusta, Sturt and Dukes highways by 2050, and upgrades to Victor Harbor Rd and Mallee Hwy. The list also includes a $10m annual investment in the State Bicycle Fund.

Chief executive officer Nick Reade said, while new projects brought clear benefits, the state cannot afford to ignore much-needed maintenance to the existing road network.

RAA chief executive officer Nick Reade says SA cannot afford to ignore much-needed maintenance work. Picture: Morgan Sette

He said South Australia’s road maintenance backlog was set to top $1bn in the next few years.

“That amounts to thousands of kilometres of our road network in need of repair, which compromises road safety and productivity,” he said.

“We’re pleased to see the current state government continue to work on the Eyre, Augusta and Sturt highways, as well as Main South Rd.”

Mr Reade said RAA would like to see the momentum continue with a $600m, four-year road maintenance fund to get on top of the “mountain of maintenance” and start clearing the backlog.

“It’s critical for money to be budgeted to keep our roads in good condition – otherwise they become a safety risk,” he said.

Speaking about the Torrens to Darlington stretch of the North-South Corridor, Mr Reade said there was “no single project more important to our state” and the government was delivering important infrastructure.

But he said the project would soak up a lot of South Australia’s road funding over the next decade, and it was crucial not to lose sight of other key projects.

“We’re not saying all this has to be done tomorrow. The truth is infrastructure projects are a slow burn and take years to properly plan, design and build,” he said.

“These projects will improve road safety, reduce travel times for motorists and help unlock productivity across our network to drive growth and jobs.”

Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the government had $18.6bn in infrastructure investment budgeted over the next four years.

“While crucially important, completing the River Torrens to Darlington section of the North South Corridor is only a part of our overall roads spend,” he said.