Improved Roads on Yorke Peninsula While Concerns About East Coast Highways Remain

Works around the Upper Yorke Peninsula Regional Road Network Upgrade Program commenced approximately one year ago in May 2017. The purpose of the $40 million upgrade is to increase the safety and efficiency for large vehicles, agricultural vehicles and drivers.

A major part of the project is to close a “missing link” for 36.5 metre road trains between Adrossan and Port Wakefield on the Yorke Highway, which should lead to an increased freight productivity.

The program involves a new roundabout, bridge widening, new overtaking lanes, upgrades to intersections and junctions, shoulder sealing and general safety improvements.

Stephen Knoll, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, says that freight transport on the Yorke Peninsula will become more productive and efficient when the works have been completed.

“These upgrade works to the Yorke and Copper Coast highways effectively removes the ‘missing link’ in the restricted access vehicle network.”

“The State Liberal Government will continue to invest in our regional road network to improve safety and efficiency for motorists, freight and agriculture vehicles.”

The local member for Narungga, Fraser Ellis, said that it was good news for farmers in the region, as it would increase their productivity.

“Farmers on the Yorke Peninsula will be delighted that 36.5 metre road trains can now travel down the Yorke Highway, making freight more efficient and lowering costs for our farmers.”

“Through the State Liberal Government’s Royalties for Regions program, I am confident that we will be able to better maintain and upgrade the road network on the Yorke Peninsula, which is vital for locals, industry and tourism.”

While road train drivers and farmers in South Australia are celebrating the closing of the “missing link”, concerns remain on the east coast of Australia with regards to increased road freight taking over major highways and motorways.

Dean Dalla Valle, chairman of Freight On Rail Group, is adamant that this kind of haulage between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane should be freighted by rail, relieving the roads of many large vehicles and making way for passenger transport and smaller freight consignments, such as an urgent courier service. He claims that “major motorways and highways are at risk of becoming a conveyor belt of trucks.”

“The road freight task between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane is forecast to reach around 140 billion tonne kilometres by 2030. Up from around 60 billion tonne kilometres.”

With the increasing trends in online shopping, transport companies are also likely to see a rise in customers requesting a courier service quote. The challenge is to cater for all these freight requirements.

Mr Dalla Valle is appealing to the general public to actively support new rail freight infrastructure. “We must better mobilise our customers – they must become our strongest allies and advocates throughout the community.”

He stated that growing freight requires an urgent and substantial response, referring to population and freight forecasts, which are predicted to double by 2075 and triple by 2050, respectively.

 “Trucks will always dominate ‘last mile’ trips to distribution centres and supermarkets, but as a country we need to do better to shift freight to rail over longer distances.”