Main South Road Duplication Project

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:35): My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Will the minister provide an update about the Main South Road duplication project?

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Autism) (14:35): I thank the honourable member for their question and interest in this project that is close to many people's hearts in the local community. Stage 2 of the Main South Road duplication between Aldinga Beach and Sellicks Beach is being delivered as part of the $810.4 million Fleurieu Connections project with the Malinauskas state Labor government contributing $588.8 million and the Albanese Labor government contributing $221.6 million.

Main South Road carries around 19,000 vehicles a day, which is only set to increase with traffic volumes expected to grow to 26,000 vehicles a day by 2036. Numbers like this highlight where projects like the one we are building are incredibly important. The project will support 405 full-time equivalent jobs throughout construction, and will improve safety, traffic flow and freight efficiencies along this critical corridor. It will allow for stronger connectivity between southern communities and Adelaide.

It is interesting to know that the new Main South Road is being built with repurposed glass instead of sand, which is the equivalent of 31 million bottles. That means we are not only building a safer road, but a more sustainable one at that.

As this project is unfolding, with stage 1 already complete, people travelling south from the city are really noticing the benefits of the work that has been undertaken to date, like the opening of the Aldinga Bridge and the northbound carriageway. They are really visible signs to the community that we are on track and going well. Already travel for local families, tourists, residents and businesses is easier and faster and, most importantly, safer to connect this community.

Stage 2 includes works from intersection upgrades at Hart and Colville roads, Norman and Rogers roads, Hahn and Cox roads, and Sellicks Beach Road. They also include other upgrades, including three U-turn facilities to maintain local access, and a shared use path for pedestrians and cyclists from Aldinga to Sellicks Beach.

Just recently, I attended a pre-start barbecue at the Aldinga site with local MP Leon Bignell from the other place. As we listened to the fast-paced and thorough pre-start instructions, you could feel the immense sense of pride of those who are working on this project. These upgrades are welcomed by the local community, with the Main South Road Action Group among the project's strongest supporters and present on the day.

At this particular pre-start breakfast barbecue, Fred Shields from the action group bravely shared his story whilst holding his red roadside marker as a clear symbol of the fight that he had to go through to be there. After a near-fatal crash on Main South Road, Fred spent more than 40 days in hospital in a wheelchair and was unable to speak or read. From that moment, he made it his mission to make sure that no-one else had to go through what he did.

Fred has since dedicated his time to campaigning for safer roads and intersections in his community, and he has delivered. Fred has been a powerful advocate for the improvements of this stretch of road, and stories like his remind us of the real stories behind why we build safer roads. They don't just connect us; they leave a safer legacy for everyone to enjoy. These upgrades are welcomed by the local community, with the Main South Road Action Group among the strongest supporters of this project.