House of Assembly Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1) 55 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Answers to Questions Answers to Questions Snowtown to Bute Road Snowtown to Bute Road In reply to Mr ELLIS House of Assembly Narungga Snowtown to Bute Road In reply to Mr ELLIS (Narungga) (20 October 2022). The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly West Torrens Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Minister for Energy and Mining Snowtown to Bute Road The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining): The Department for Infrastructure and Transport (the department) has inspected the Barunga Gap Road (Snowtown to Bute) and whilst it acknowledged there are some undulations, cracks, and minor ruts, typical of a regional road built in the 1960s, the road is considered to be in a suitable condition for traffic. The department receives many requests for the improvement of roads. The government is responsible for the provision and maintenance of about 13,000 kilometres of arterial roads, with over 2,000 kilometres of these roads in the metropolitan area. The maintenance needs of such an extensive network are high and the government invests millions of dollars each year on maintaining road assets. The Barunga Gap Road carries approximately 230 vehicles per day, and there are no immediate plans to undertake major upgrade works. The department advises that inspections of Barunga Gap Road (Snowtown to Bute) were undertaken on 25 October 2022, and 24 November 2022. While this section of Barunga Gap Road has not been identified as requiring major upgrade works, in consideration of additional heavy vehicle traffic associated with harvest season, the department will arrange for the maintenance contractor to undertake isolated shoulder repairs at targeted locations along the road. This remedial work will provide additional safety for road users during grain carting season. I am advised that due to contractor availability following consistent and heavy rainfall across the network, these shoulder works are scheduled for completion by mid-December 2022. The contractor will make every effort to limit the impact on grain carting traffic. The department's maintenance contractor patrols the road on a regular basis and will address any defects as they become apparent. Should any immediate safety hazards be identified, constituents are encouraged to contact the department's Traffic Management Centre on 1800 081 313.