The worst grain road in South Australia and one described as "an embarrassment to the Yorke Peninsula" will be the recipient of much needed upgrades.
The Arthurton to Kulpara stretch of the Upper Yorke Road will have its lanes widened, shoulders sealed, surface smoothed and barriers and audio tactile markings installed as part of a $168 million spend on SA roads.
Works on the 35 kilometre section will begin in May and are expected to be complete by mid 2025, improving the road to a three-star safety rating level.
In December 2022, the road topped a list of the worst grain routes compiled by Grain Producers SA.
It was described by local farmers and business owners as "rough as guts" and dangerous to all that traversed it.
RELATED READING: State of roads slammed in GPSA worst grain roads report
In February last year, local farmers took Regional Roads Minister Geoff Brock and Primary Industries Clare Scriven for a drive along the stretch while they were on the Yorke Peninsula for Country Cabinet.
In August last year, the RAA handed down a scathing one-star rating of the stretch, saying the condition of the road was unacceptable and a serious safety concern.
GPSA chief executive officer Brad Perry said today's funding news was "a huge win for safety and productivity".
"Two years of advocacy from GPSA on the Upper Yorke Road, Arthurton to Kulpara, has paid off and we thank South Australian grain producers, the Regional Roads Minister and Primary Industries Minister for their efforts in bringing this to fruition," he said.
"Investment in road upgrades across South Australia's grain producing regions is vital for ensuring our $4 billion crop can get to port efficiently and safely."
Local farmer Sam Correll said the news was refreshing to hear and he was thankful for the advocacy work of locals, GPSA and the RAA.
"We've been fighting the battle for a lot of years and machinery and trucks are getting bigger, while the road's definitely not improving in condition," he said.
"To know it's going to get some TLC will be really good."
MALLEE AND MID NORTH ROADS ALSO TO BENEFIT
The horror stretch is one of the first regional projects announced in the latest round of the federal government's Road Safety Program.
Other projects to receive funding include another 25km section of the Upper Yorke Road from Bute to Port Broughton, a 65km stretch of the Mallee Highway between Tailem Bend and Geranium which ranked at number four in the worst grain roads list, and the Jamestown to Spalding stretch of RM Williams Way.
Works on RM Williams Way will begin in May while works on the Mallee Highway will start next month, with both projects to be completed in 2025.
Other routes in line for works include the Thiele Highway from Kapunda to Eudunda, the Lincoln Highway from Whyalla to Tumby Bay, and Main South Road from Sellicks Beach to Second Valley.
WORKS A RESULT OF COMMUNITY ADVOCACY: BROCK
In announcing the SA road projects that would receive funding, Regional Roads Minister Geoff Brock made sure to acknowledge the farmers and wider Yorke Peninsula community that fought to have both sections of the Upper Yorke Road improved.
"Having driven the stretch during the government's Country Cabinet visit to the region last year, I am well aware of the sector's advocacy and residents' feedback on why these works are needed," he said.
The state government will contribute an additional $600,000 to have patching works done on Upper Yorke Road, south of Port Broughton.
Mr Brock is hopeful the upgrades across regional SA will help reduce the number of crashes causing serious injury and deaths.
Last year, 117 people lost their lives on SA roads while another 856 were seriously injured.
"2023 was a tragic year on regional roads and these upgrades will go a long way to helping reduce the devastating impact of serious and fatal crashes on communities," Mr Brock said.
"Our freight industry will also benefit from safer, more efficient journeys as the state and federal governments work together to improve key transport corridors throughout regional South Australia."
Funding for the Mallee Highway and the Bute to Port Broughton section of the Upper Yorke Road was welcomed by the region's respective mayors.
Coorong mayor Paul Simmons said upgrades to the key freight link through the Mallee and Murraylands would improve safety for locals and transporters.
Barunga West mayor Leonie Kerley said upgrades to Upper Yorke Road would improve public safety and likely be a boost for the region's tourism sector and economy.
"These upgrades are crucial for ensuring our roads are safer and serve as vital links to employment, education, healthcare, essential services and tourism," she said.
"Upper Yorke Road is vitally important in connecting Adelaide to the top of the Yorke and the Mid North region."
