Media Release: Overpass Ends 20 Years of Indecision

Today’s announcement of Federal Government funding for the Port Wakefield overpass and township lane duplication project finally means a solution is in sight for a vital transport and road safety issue that has been dogged by inept planning and indecision for more than 20 years.

For sound reason the corner of Copper Coast Highway and Augusta Highway has long been colloquially known as “Crash Corner”. The news today that the $90 million Federal/State Port Wakefield Overpass project is to come to fruition is a great relief as it will vastly improve traffic flow and the confidence of all drivers using this intersection.

When I nominated to represent the seat of Narungga, I advocated hard for an overpass solution to be a committed State Liberals pre-election pledge.

Last January, I was pleased to secure the $12.1 million investment to end the notorious traffic bottlenecks that was impacting on our tourism growth, slowing freight movement, and increasing risk of accidents at the notorious intersection.

The $90 million project includes the overpass and, pleasingly, the duplication of Port Wakefield Road through the town of Port Wakefield, beginning at the end of the existing road duplication south of Port Wakefield and continuing to the Copper Coast Highway junction.

This investment in Narungga electorate will improve traffic flows, benefit local businesses, save lives, and boost tourism visitation and spend. Of the latter, research has shown that holidaymakers visiting Yorke Peninsula have been shortening their stay (or worse, deciding not to come) because of dreading the extra hours stuck in traffic on the way home.   

This announcement today will have a profound impact on our local community.