NEW AUGUSTA HIGHWAY OVERTAKING LANE NEAR LOCHIEL NEARING COMPLETION
Road safety and travel times on the Augusta Highway have been improved after a new
southbound overtaking lane near Lochiel opened to traffic recently.
Construction works including pavement, sealing and line marking works are now
complete on the overtaking lane – located between Maro Creek Lane and Diagonal
Road, north of Lochiel.
The overtaking lane is now open to traffic; however traffic and speed restrictions will be
required for several weeks to enable re-seal works to be completed on the through
lanes and the new surface to settle.
The overtaking lane is one of two that have been jointly funded by the Australian and
South Australian governments (on an 80:20 basis) as part of the South Australian Rural
Roads Safety Package.
The overall package is worth $155 million, with the Australian Government contributing
$124.4 million and the SA Government the remaining funding.
Construction work on the other overtaking lane – located between Lake View Road and
Mallee Corner Road, south of Redhill – started in mid-2022 and is progressing well.
Work on this overtaking lane is expected to be completed in mid-2023, weather
permitting.
The two Augusta Highway overtaking lanes are being delivered by Port Wakefield to
Port Augusta (PW2PA) Alliance, a consortium of CPB Contractors, Aurecon and GHD,
in alliance with the SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport.
Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development
and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
“The Australian Government is committed to working with the South Australian
Government to ensure all road users have the safest and smoothest journeys on the
road network.
“The overtaking lane will reduce delays and improve traffic flow, delivering a better and
more reliable journey for motorists who travel along this key route.
“It’s an exciting next step as we continue to build the infrastructure that communities in
regional South Australia deserve.”
Quotes attributable to State Minister for Regional Roads Geoff Brock:
“It’s fantastic that work is complete on the new southbound overtaking lane on the
Augusta Highway near Lochiel, and work is also progressing well on the new
southbound overtaking lane near Redhill.
“Overtaking lanes improve road safety by providing and encouraging safe overtaking
opportunities and reducing driver frustration from drivers not being able to overtake
slower-moving vehicles.
“The Augusta Highway is the key corridor between Port Wakefield and Port Augusta
and forms part of the National Land Transport Network, providing crucial connectivity to
regional South Australia and interstate, so these overtaking lanes will provide a
welcome boost to road safety and travel times along this important route.”
11 APRIL 2023