New Augusta Highway overtaking lane near Lochiel nearing completion

Road safety and travel times on the Augusta Highway have been improved after a new southbound overtaking lane near Lochiel opened to traffic recently.

Construction works including pavement, sealing and line marking works are now complete on the overtaking lane – located between Maro Creek Lane and Diagonal Road, north of Lochiel.

The overtaking lane is now open to traffic; however traffic and speed restrictions will be required for several weeks to enable re-seal works to be completed on the through lanes and the new surface to settle.

The overtaking lane is one of two that have been jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian governments (on an 80:20 basis) as part of the South Australian Rural Roads Safety Package.

The overall package is worth $155 million, with the Australian Government contributing $124.4 million and the SA Government the remaining funding.

Construction work on the other overtaking lane – located between Lake View Road and Mallee Corner Road, south of Redhill – started in mid-2022 and is progressing well.

Work on this overtaking lane is expected to be completed in mid-2023, weather permitting.

The two Augusta Highway overtaking lanes are being delivered by Port Wakefield to Port Augusta (PW2PA) Alliance, a consortium of CPB Contractors, Aurecon and GHD, in alliance with the SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport.

Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

“The Australian Government is committed to working with the South Australian Government to ensure all road users have the safest and smoothest journeys on the road network.

“The overtaking lane will reduce delays and improve traffic flow, delivering a better and more reliable journey for motorists who travel along this key route.

“It’s an exciting next step as we continue to build the infrastructure that communities in regional South Australia deserve.”

Quotes attributable to State Minister for Regional Roads Geoff Brock:

It’s fantastic that work is complete on the new southbound overtaking lane on the Augusta Highway near Lochiel, and work is also progressing well on the new southbound overtaking lane near Redhill.

“Overtaking lanes improve road safety by providing and encouraging safe overtaking opportunities and reducing driver frustration from drivers not being able to overtake slower-moving vehicles.

“The Augusta Highway is the key corridor between Port Wakefield and Port Augusta and forms part of the National Land Transport Network, providing crucial connectivity to regional South Australia and interstate, so these overtaking lanes will provide a welcome boost to road safety and travel times along this important route.”