Millions more coming for Upper Yorke Road

Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis MP is very pleased tens of millions of dollars have been allocated for two long-awaited local projects in the Narungga electorate – the upgrade of the Kulpara to Arthurton Road and the Bute to Port Broughton Road.

“After years of advocating, I am excited by today’s announcement the notorious Kulpara to Arthurton stretch of Upper Yorke Road, as well as the Bute to Port Broughton portion of this same road, are to have multi-million-dollar overhauls which will be music to the ears of many”, Mr Ellis said.

“It was only last sitting week that I stood in the chamber and implored a review of the decision to spend $600,000 on a patch job for portions of the Bute to Port Broughton road when a proper job of the two sections of Upper Yorke Road was urgently required.

“I am very relieved this allocation of multiple millions is now imminent and will confirm specific dollar amounts at the completion of the tender process”, Mr Ellis said.

Mr Ellis said this significant funding from the Federal and State Government’s $168 million National Road Safety Program ($84 million each) recognises the crucial need for major improvements on these stretches of road, including sealing and widening, safety barrier installation, line marking and vegetation management.

“Of the Kulpara to Arthurton Road, locals say this section hasn’t had any investment since the 1950s, resulting in it being more suitable for horse and cart than today’s cars and trucks.

“After some six years of advocacy to successive Ministers, what an exciting day for residents, tourists and primary producers who deserve to traverse a safe, productivity-efficient Upper Yorke Road, and I daresay school bus and ambulance users and drivers will also be rejoicing.

“It is also fantastic we will not be waiting long for these major upgrades to commence, with the works expected to start this year”, Mr Ellis said.