Swanport Bridge on the Princes Hwy earmark for duplication as part of $525 million of a federal budget package

A “dangerously narrow” bridge on a major national road corridor has finally been earmarked for a fix in a massive funding announcement, but project details remain a mystery.

The Swanport Bridge on the Princes Hwy – which marks the start of the South Eastern Freeway – is set for duplication as part of $525 million of a federal budget package. Picture Dylan Coker

A “dangerously narrow” bridge on a major national road corridor has finally been earmarked for a fix.

The Swanport Bridge on the Princes Hwy – which marks the start of the South Eastern Freeway – is set for duplication as part of stage one, with $525 million of a federal budget package to fund SA’s High Productivity Vehicle Network (HPVN).

However, the details remain a mystery with no construction timelines or further project details announced.

Swanport Bridge at Murray Bridge. Picture: Dylan Coker

The busy dual lane freeway narrows to just one over the River Murray crossing near Murray Bridge and politicians, transport industry figures and locals have long called for its duplication.

In 2015, the speed limit on the bridge was dropped from 100 km/h to 80km/h following a fatal crash in an effort to improve motorists’ safety.

A map of what the Greater Adelaide Fright Bypass will look like.

In 2017, a 21-year-old died after colliding head on with a truck on the bridge.

Veteran truck driver Doug Blenkiron, of Murray Bridge, told The Advertiser the river crossing had always been too narrow and drivers were always at risk on the crossing.

“It’s stupidity it was only ever a two-lane bridge to begin with,” he said.

A truck and car collision on the Swanport Bridge at Murray Bridge. Picture: Campbell Brodie.

A serious crash on the Swanport Bridge, Murray Bridge. Picture: Nine News.

Mr Blenkiron said he had seen many near-misses as drivers continually would drive in the right hand lane, unaware it was designated for oncoming traffic on the bridge.

His father was one of the two original carriers in the town and Doug can recall touring the bridge works before it opened in 1979 and his father warning it was too narrow to support future traffic needs.

He said the duplication had been “almost 50 years” in the making but had some doubts he’d ever see it completed.

“I’m 80 in October and I’d like to see it before I’m in a pine box,” he said.

Veteran truck driver Doug Blenkiron, of Murray Bridge, told The Advertiser the river crossing had always been too narrow and drivers were always at risk on the crossing.

Infrastructure Minister Catherine King announced the funding pledge on Wednesday, after the delivery of Tuesday’s budget.

Her office said the project was “baked into the $17.1 billion” worth of road funding announcements and not public in the budget papers.

Ms King said the HPVN would deliver upgrades between the South Eastern Freeway and Sturt Highway including the duplication of the Swanport Bridge and a Murray Bridge township bypass in Monarto.

Under questioning from Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie at senate estimates on Thursday, Department of Infrastructure officials revealed the funding was expected to be met in a 50/50 split with state government for a $1 billion stage one of the HPVN project, focusing on the roads from Murray Bridge to Truro.

MP Tom Koutsantonis says the state government would not commit to a 50/50 split on a $1billion upgrade need for the HPVN . Picture: NewsWire / Tim Joy

However, the state government said it would not be drawn into its funding obligation, with a spokesperson saying any decision on SA’s funding contribution would be considered in its budget process.

Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis was asked if the state government would meet the federal government halfway and fund $525 million of state taxpayers money towards the project, to which he said “no”.

“I’ve not heard of this 50/50 idea before,” he said.

“Generally freight projects are funded at an 80/20 split. I point you out to the Bruce Highway, which is a $7 billion road being built now, (and) thats being funded at 80/20.”

“Mr Koutsantonis called the package a “dramatic investment” by the Commonwealth government.

He said he had submitted a business cases to Infrastructure Australia for a series of projects that constitute this bypass network.

He said the state government welcomed the funding which would divert freight away from regional centres and help take large trucks off Portrush Rd and Cross Rd and “put an end to Nicolle Flint and James Stevens’ plans to push more and more trucks through suburbs along Portrush Rd and Cross Rd”.

Opposition Infrastructure spokesman, Ben Hood called the package announcement by the federal government a “cruel joke”, and questioned if the state government would match it in the next state budget.

“I think we’re all confused because this was half a billion dollars announced by a Labor backbencher the day after the budget, and then it’s taken a full 30-hours for Tom Koutsantonis or the state government to give a reply,” he said.

“It's not the way to treat South Australians, especially on the fact that they want to spend half a billion dollars and now the state government are saying they will consider it in their budget with is a couple of months away.

“I mean let's be clear, without a commitment from the state government, there is nothing but smoke and mirrors in this, and nothing is going to get built.”

Originally published as Swanport Bridge on the Princes Hwy earmark for duplication as part of $525 million of a federal budget package