To help keep South Australians moving safely, affordably and sustainably, we’re lobbying for the critical infrastructure improvements across our state that are most important to you.

1. Complete the North-South Corridor

RAA members see the completion of a non-stop North-South Corridor as the most important federal road infrastructure project in South Australia, according to a recent RAA survey.

It’s easy to see why, with some areas of South Rd between Noarlunga and Gawler flooded with an average of 50,000 motorists every day.

While the Darlington and Northern Connector projects will reduce congestion once they’re completed this year, two remaining sections – between Darlington and Anzac Hwy and the River Torrens and Anzac Hwy – are yet to be funded.

Congestion isn’t RAA’s only concern, with 385 casualty crashes occurring along the 10.5km stretch of road between the River Torrens and Quinlan Ave between 2013 and 2017.

The next federal government must:

Fund the completion of Adelaide’s 78km North-South Corridor to reduce congestion, improve travel times and increase safety.

Both major parties have committed to fund the completion of the North-South Corridor. Click here to find out what Labor and the Liberals have to say on the issue.

Update: In April, the federal government announced it’ll commit $1.5 billion to complete the North-South Corridor project, which will create a non-stop 78km route between Gawler and Old Noarlunga.

2. Duplication of Augusta Hwy

Augusta Hwy is South Australia’s busiest regional highway. It’s also one of the most dangerous, with 199 injuries and 19 fatalities recorded in the past 5 years.

More than 4000 vehicles – including long freight and cars – travel along Augusta Hwy between Port Wakefield and Port Augusta each day.

With Whyalla’s population expected to quadruple in coming years, the duplication of Augusta Hwy is critical to address safety concerns and provide significant economic benefit to the state through safer and more efficient freight operations.

The next federal government must:

Duplicate Augusta Hwy to allow safer operation of freight, tourist and regional traffic, and to prepare for future autonomous vehicles – an operation that will require 2 lanes in each direction.

3. Duplication of Dukes Hwy

Did you know Dukes Hwy, between Murray Bridge and the Victorian border, is one of the busiest freight corridors in South Australia? In fact, it sees about 1100 commercial vehicles each day.

Unfortunately, busy single lane highways are notorious for crashes, and Dukes Hwy does not buck the trend – 96 people have been injured and 12 killed while travelling on the highway between 2013 and 2017.

Almost a quarter of casualty crashes are due to head-on collisions. A duplicated Dukes Hwy will be safer for traffic, and could also be a major strategic route for future autonomous freight operations between Adelaide and Melbourne.

The next federal government must:

Duplicate Dukes Hwy – following on from Victoria’s duplication of Western Hwy – to ensure there are 2 lanes for traffic in each direction along the entire corridor between Adelaide and Melbourne.

This will combat the number of head-on crashes along the stretch of road, as well as prepare for future autonomous freight operations.

4. Recognise Riddoch Hwy as a national highway

No overtaking lanes for the 110km/h stretch between Keith and Naracoorte. Crests and curves combined with high levels of commuter and freight traffic making it hard to overtake. Sound frustrating?

Each day, as many as 4000 motorists including tourists, commuters and truck drivers face this problem as they travel along parts of Riddoch Hwy in the state’s south east.

From 2013 to 2017, 119 people were injured and 8 people killed on this highway, with single-vehicle crashes, hitting fixed objects and rollovers most prominent.

The next federal government must:

Acknowledge the significant increase in freight demands on Riddoch Hwy, and add the highway to the National Highway Network.

This will mean one of SA’s most significant freight and commuter corridors will be eligible for federal funding to upgrade and maintain it, making it safer for motorists.

5. Separate freight level crossings

We’ve all been there – stuck at a level crossing in the middle of peak-hour traffic for what feels like an hour, while a freight train passes through the intersection.

RAA estimates 115,000 vehicles pass through five Adelaide level crossings which intersect with the interstate rail network each day.

Many of these vehicles are detained for up to 10 minutes due to trains.

The next federal government must:

Invest in grade separation of roads and interstate rail lines at 5 major level crossings – Cross Rd, Kings Park; Torrens Rd, Renown Park; Park Tce, Salisbury; Kings Rd, Salisbury Downs; and Cormack Rd, Dry Creek – to improve the safety and efficiency of the arterial road network.

6. Prepare for autonomous and zero-emission vehicles

The evolution of autonomous and zero-emission vehicles has the potential to solve many personal and social issues, by enhancing mobility for children, the elderly and people with disability.

At the same time, there’s potential to significantly reduce traffic collisions and congestion.

However, our progress is stalled by infrastructure and legislation failing to keep pace with technology.

The next federal government must:

Create a nationally consistent approach that will allow the development and trial of autonomous vehicles. In addition, a new federally driven scheme is needed to ensure owners and operators of zero-emission vehicles contribute to maintaining and upgrading the road network they use.

7. Commit to the National Road Safety Strategy

South Australia’s had a horror start to the year, recording the worst January road toll since 2015.

Furthermore, a recent report from the Australian Automobile Association on the performance of the National Road Safety Strategy shows Australia isn’t achieving its target for reducing fatalities on our roads.

The next federal government must:

Commit to all 12 recommendations made in the National Road Safety Strategy, to ensure road safety becomes part of everyday business for all levels of government. To see all the recommendations, visit the road safety website.