More than 1,000 jobs will be created by a whopping $236 million worth of transport and infrastructure projects tendered out during a recent two-month period.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said federal funding for projects in South Australia was an example of the Australian Government's determination to deliver sure the infrastructure the state needs and deserves is funded and delivered.
"These projects are part of the Australian Government's nationwide $110 billion infrastructure investment plan in action," Minister Joyce said.
"New and upgraded infrastructure is an investment in local communities, creates jobs and supports our economic recovery."
South Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Corey Wingard said the massive level of procurement was further evidence of the South Australian Government pushing ahead to build what matters across the state.
"We are continuing to forge ahead with our record infrastructure investment across South Australia, with dozens of new tenders worth hundreds of millions of dollars being released in recent months," Minister Wingard said.
"In July and August we released $236 million worth of tenders to market, which are expected to support at least 1,000 full-time-equivalent jobs during construction. This includes $149 million in July alone - our biggest single month of infrastructure tenders this year.
"We are continuing to defy the challenges of the pandemic, cracking on with our record infrastructure program and creating of jobs for South Australians."
Minister Wingard said 13 tenders worth $149 million were released in July, followed by a further 14 tenders valued at more than $87 million in August.
These tenders were headlined by the design and construction of the $48.5 million Tea Tree Plaza Park 'n' Ride, the upgrade of which is expected to support 215 full-time equivalent jobs during construction.
"In the marine infrastructure space, we released tenders for critical maintenance works on the Kingscote Main Jetty Upgrade, which forms part of the South Australian Government's $20 million Marine Stimulus Program and on the concrete berthing dolphins on Port Bonython Jetty.
"Works for several major regional road infrastructure projects were also tendered out, such as road widening and shoulder sealing on various sections of the Barrier Highway, construction of overtaking lanes on the Horrocks and Riddoch highways and road reconstruction of Spencer Highway south of Maitland.
"The tenders also included the construction of an overtaking lane on Long Valley Road, between Wistow and Strathalbyn and four junction upgrades as part of the Long Valley Mass Action Project, which together will result in significant road safety improvements on this Adelaide Hills road."
As well as tenders released, contracts worth a combined total of $85.5 million were awarded to construction companies across July and August.
Minister Wingard said these contracts are expected to support approximately 350 full-time-equivalent jobs during construction.
"Projects for which contracts were awarded in July and August included the construction of overtaking lanes on the Eyre and Lincoln highways, along with shoulder sealing on the Eyre Highway, the state school enabling intersection upgrades in Angle Vale and Aldinga and Salisbury Highway asphalt resurfacing," Mr Wingard said.
"Combined, these projects, alone, are expected to support approximately 245 full-time jobs during construction."
