Two new junctions to be delivered on the Wimmera Highway

Upgrades on the Wimmera Highway near Naracoorte, including two new junctions, will start on Monday 9 January 2023, improving road safety and freight productivity.

The construction of two new junctions on the Wimmera Highway will help freight vehicles up to 36.5 metres in length (Performance Based Standards 3A road trains) better access local businesses including the Teys Australia Naracoorte Facility and the QUBE Hynam Depot.

These two new junctions will provide sheltered right-turn lanes into both businesses.

The project will also include a dedicated left-turn deceleration lane into Teys Australia, new asphalt, line-marking, LED lighting, safety barrier installation and upgraded drainage.

Completion of this project is expected in mid-2023, weather permitting.

Works will be undertaken Monday to Friday between 7am and 5:30pm and Saturday 7am to 3:30pm. Some work may be required outside of these hours.

To safely facilitate these works, the highway will be intermittently reduced to a single lane of traffic, with speed restrictions and temporary traffic lights in place to control the direction of traffic.

Outside of working hours the highway will re-open to two lanes of traffic (one in each direction) with speed restrictions in place.

Road users are asked to please plan ahead, expect delays, allow extra travel time and take extra care when workers are on site. Observe speed limits, lane restrictions and traffic controllers when travelling through the area.

The contract for these works has been awarded to South Australian company Bardavcol and will support approximately 25 full-time-equivalent jobs over the construction period.

The works form part of the $14.6 million Rural Roads Package — Naracoorte Roundabouts project, which is jointly funded on an 80:20 basis by the Australian and South Australian governments.

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

"Getting works underway on this critical project is a fantastic milestone for local motorists, freight and the economy.

"This project will improve safety for everyone using the road while making it quicker, safer and easier for freight workers to do their jobs.

"It will also support local construction jobs and economic stimulus in the region.

"We know how much of a difference this can make for communities, which is why the Australian Government is helping make this project a reality."

Quotes attributable to SA Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Tom Koutsantonis:

"The two new junctions on the Wimmera Highway will be a great win for all road users, particularly freight operators with larger vehicles, who will have better access to local businesses such as Teys Australia and the QUBE Hynam Depot.

"Other upgrades as part of the project include new asphalt and line-marking, improved lighting and the installation of safety barriers, which will all contribute towards making Wimmera Highway safer and smoother for all road users.

"Congratulations to Bardavcol on winning the contract for these works, which underlines our commitment to supporting employment for South Australians.

"We thank the community for their cooperation and patience while these important works are undertaken."