The $11 million Dublin Saleyard Access Upgrade has reached a significant milestone, with improvements to Carslake Road and the entrance of the South Australian Livestock Exchange now complete.
The Morrison Coalition and Marshall Liberal governments have committed $11 million on an 80:20 basis as part of the South Australian Rural Roads Package to deliver the project.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the completed works were welcome news for South Australians.
"The completed works include modifications to the saleyard entrance to allow heavy vehicle access, and the widening and re-sealing of the 2.2-kilometre section of Carslake Road between the entrance and Port Wakefield Highway," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
"This is another example of the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government's record $110 billion infrastructure investment plan in action, helping to connect communities and improve safety, while creating jobs and supporting our economic recovery."
South Australia's Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Corey Wingard said the project, which commenced in February 2021, was another great example of the State and Federal governments' massive investment in infrastructure projects in regional South Australia.
"The Morrison Coalition and Marshall Liberal governments are committed to building what matters to our regional communities," Minister Wingard said.
"The completion of these works is a major milestone for this project, which will improve freight productivity by allowing the Dublin Saleyard entrance to be accessed by triple road trains up to 53.5 metres in length.
"The Port Wakefield to Port Augusta Alliance is now finalising works to upgrade the Port Wakefield Highway junction with Carslake Road, which will be the final step in unlocking triple road train access from the highway to the saleyard and improving road safety for all road users."
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said the Dublin Saleyard was an incredibly important piece of agricultural jigsaw in South Australia.
"Traffic loads on the Port Wakefield road continue to increase and the Federal Government in partnership with the state has been funding extensive upgrades including the Port Wakefield overpass and commitment to duplicate the Augusta Highway," Mr Ramsey said.
"The project has supported 34 full-time equivalent jobs through the construction period and that is excellent. However, the real benefits lie in the provision of first-class access in and out of the saleyards.
"Currently the Federal Government has either spent or is committed to spend more than a billion dollars across the major road networks in the Grey electorate. This investment in almost every case has been accompanied by a 20 per cent contribution from the state. It is simply unprecedented.
"We continue to invest in rural Australia because we understand the value of its contribution to the whole nation. In so many ways our rural industries provide the foundations for a modern, successful Australia."
Works on the Port Wakefield Highway/Carslake Road junction upgrade are well progressed, with completion expected in the coming weeks.
Right-turn movements from Carslake Road onto Port Wakefield Highway will be the final works to be completed. All other turning movements at the junction have been reopened.
Road users are asked to plan ahead, and please take extra care when workers are on site. Observe speed limits, lane restrictions and traffic controllers when travelling through the area.
