FEDERAL FUNDING FLOWS FOR PORT WAKEFIELD OVERPASS AND DUPLICATION
THE Federal Liberal and Nationals’ Government is partnering with the Marshall Liberal Government to deliver a $90 million project to duplicate Port Wakefield Road and build an overpass which will enable users of the road to avoid having to navigate the intersection with the Augusta and Copper Coast highways, expected to be completed in 2022.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack joined local Liberal MP Rowan Ramsey and South Australian Minister for Infrastructure Stephan Knoll and State Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis in Port Wakefield today to announce the major boost.
“Rowan Ramsey has been putting the case about what an important link this is between Adelaide and tourist and agricultural areas in the Yorke Peninsula and to the north of the state,” Mr McCormack said.
“His voice in Government has delivered and this investment will see a single-lane overpass for Port Wakefield Road over the intersection of the Augusta and Copper Coast highways, thanks to the Australian Government’s $72 million commitment.
“Working with the new Liberal South Australian Government, it will also duplicate Port Wakefield Road through the town of Port Wakefield, beginning at the end of the existing road duplication south of Port Wakefield and continuing to the Copper Coast Highway junction.”
South Australian Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government Stephan Knoll said the Marshall Government was continuing to build a strong pipeline of productive infrastructure projects.
“The Marshall Liberal Government’s constructive and collaborative relationship with the Coalition Government continues to pay dividends as we’ve secured funding for yet another key infrastructure project,” Mr Knoll said.
“Thanks to our great working relationship with the Coalition Government, the project we’re announcing today is much more significant than what we took to the election this year.
“High traffic volumes and conflicting traffic flows are a big issue in the Port Wakefield area and for the broader Yorke Peninsula as well, so it is pleasing to have the Coalition Government on board to deliver a solution via this upgrade.
“This project would reduce congestion, cut travel times, improve route reliability and boost safety around the Augusta and Copper Coast highways intersection.”
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said the project was essential in terms of road safety and will fix “once and for all” the Port Wakefield bottleneck.
“Traffic volumes both to Yorke Peninisula and on the National Highway will continue to increase and this project is long overdue,” Mr Ramsey said.
“There are real benefits on offer for local businesses and freight operators, with a significant increase to road network safety and freight efficiency. There will also be a collective sigh of relief from parents waving goodbye to their children en route back to Adelaide after home visits on holiday weekends.”
“This example is what we get when our State Government works with the Federal Government. I congratulate Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis and candidate for Frome Kendall Jackson who have also worked strongly with me to help bring this project to fruition.”
Liberal State member for Narungga Fraser Ellis is pleased that the Federal Government has committed funds to this project to make the State Liberals’ election promise a reality.
“This project was a significant priority of mine when I nominated to represent the seat of Narungga at the last election, such is its importance to the local community,” Mr Ellis said.
“I was pleased to secure funding from the State Government early in the election campaign and thrilled that the Federal Government have now come on board to make this dream a reality.”
The Australian Government has committed $72 million towards this $90 million project with the South Australian Government providing the remaining $18 million.