SA State Budget to fund major road upgrades
The South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport has revealed that the upcoming State Budget will include funding for significant road upgrades to improve safety and congestion.
The State Government is set to partner with the Federal Government to deliver a total of $80 million (50:50) over five years from 2025-26 for critical safety improvements on a notorious section of Main South Road between Myponga and Yankalilla, which will include the construction of new overtaking lanes.
Main South Road is a key route connecting heavy vehicles, commuters and tourists from Adelaide to destinations along the Fleurieu Peninsula. The section of road between Myponga and Yankalilla carries around 4,900 vehicles a day.
The road includes many curves and has an undulating environment, which makes overtaking difficult, resulting in delays and driver frustrations that can lead to unsafe behaviour.
Between 2019 and 2023, there were 16 crashes, which resulted in one fatality and five people seriously injured. In 2024, five crashes resulted in four lives lost and two serious injuries.
Upgrades will include the construction of two new overtaking lanes, targeted curve easing and road widening, as well as widening narrow bridges and culverts.
These improvements will increase overtaking opportunities and create a safer environment for all road users travelling to and from the Fleurieu Peninsula.
The project will also support economic growth and improve liveability by making travel safe and reliable to key destinations, including Kangaroo Island.
Additionally, the 2025/26 State Budget will include funding to match the Federal Government’s $125 million commitment to the first stage to a quicker, safer drive for commuters on a key thoroughfare in Adelaide’s growing Northern suburbs.
Stage 1 will involve the removal of the Curtis Road level crossing in Munno Para.
Suburbs such as Munno Para, Angle Vale, Riverlea, Kudla, Concordia, and Roseworthy are predicted to see significant population and economic growth over the next 30 years and beyond.
As the fastest growing region in the state, Adelaide’s northern suburbs form an important part of the State Government’s Housing Roadmap, which seeks to create more homes for South Australians.
The State Government recently undertook the Northern Adelaide Transport Study, which identified Curtis Road as an important east west link and access route to the North South Corridor.
Currently, the Gawler Railway line crosses Curtis Road, 500 metres west of Main North Road.
Approximately 21,000 vehicles pass through this level crossing each day, and during peak periods the boom gates can be down for up to 15 minutes every hour.
The removal of the rail level crossing and grade separation will improve safety and travel time reliability by reducing road and rail network conflicts, eliminating this frustrating traffic bottleneck.
These works will support the significant growth in the region. Access from residential areas to the Northern Expressway and Main North Road is essential for people to access employment, education and recreational services.
The project will support 425 full time equivalent jobs per year over the construction period.
A planning study for the works will soon commence, with a concept design to be released in 2026. Major works will commence by 2027, with an expected completion in 2030.
