A RIVERLAND council has received more than $4 million in Federal Government funding to upgrade almost 100 intersections and 17km of road in the local area.
District Council of Loxton Waikerie will match the $4.32 million contribution from the Government to improve safety at 98 intersections in the region and seal a 17km stretch of Taplan Road as part of the Federal Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP).
Loxton Waikerie Mayor Leon Stasinowsky told the Murray Pioneer the funding was a “real coup” for the district.
“A lot of the intersections that we were looking to upgrade we wouldn’t have been able to afford by ourselves,” he said.
“The roads are going to be used a lot more by heavy vehicles, so having the funding for that is going to make the roads a lot better from a safety perspective.
“To get that extra money poured into our council area means that we can make our roads safer in the long run for everyone using them, whether they are contractors or our ratepayers who use those roads every day.”
Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the timing “couldn’t be better” to improve freight routes in the region.
“This vital funding will allow communities right across the country to fast-track their highest-priority infrastructure projects, providing a much-needed boost to local jobs and the economy,” he said.
“By improving our road network, this funding will also help keep people safe on our roads while making key freight routes more efficient, delivering long-term benefits to drivers, businesses and local communities.”
Loxton Waikerie Deputy Mayor Trevor Norton said the support for the district’s primary production sector was “very welcome”.
“These road upgrades will assist the region’s primary producers with increased safety and access along major and local intersections,” he said
“Tony Pasin and the Federal Government have continued to support our community strongly and this is another example.
“Our local horticultural and agricultural industries are the lifeblood of our region and without safe and reliable road freight route’s their livelihoods would suffer.”
Mr Stasinowsky said local contractors would be used to supplement council staff where required.
The district’s road network was identified as a key focus area for council within its 2020-21 Annual Business Plan, with the new projects set to be among a range of road upgrades scheduled by the council to maintain B-double routes in the region.
The works are expected to be completed over the next year.