The South Australian Government is set to undertake major safety enhancements on Main South Road between Myponga and Yankalilla. The June 5 State Budget will include new funding to deliver these critical improvements.
These initiatives, which will be rolled out in collaboration with the Federal Government under the Albanese administration, involve an investment of $80 million, to be equally shared between the two governments over a span of five years starting from 2025-26.
This key regional thoroughfare, which connects Adelaide to the scenic Fleurieu Peninsula and facilitates heavy vehicle, commuter and tourist traffic, sees daily vehicle movements tallying close to 4,900. In response to the demand for safer and more efficient travel, the road will see the construction of two new overtaking lanes aimed at facilitating smoother traffic flow and reducing the risk associated with vehicular overtaking in the currently challenging terrain of curves and undulations.
The recent spate of accidents clearly underscores the necessity of these upgrades. Between 2019 and 2023, the pertinent stretch recorded 16 accidents, including one fatal crash and another five resulting in serious injuries. Alarmingly, in 2024, the area witnessed further tragic accidents involving four fatalities and two critical injuries.
In addition to the new overtaking lanes, the planned improvements for Main South Road also entail the easing of targeted curves and the widening of the road as well as narrow bridges and culverts. These upgrades are anticipated to not only augment overtaking opportunities but also significantly enhance safety for all road users.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Tom Koutsantonis, spoke about the urgency and community demand for these enhancements. “Locals have long called for safety improvements along Main South Road between Myponga and Yankalilla, and now we are getting on with delivering them together with the Australian government with this new $80 million initiative,” he stated.
Treasurer Stephen Mullighan reiterated the Government’s commitment to road safety and a vision aiming at zero fatalities by 2050. “The Fleurieu Peninsula is a popular part of our state, and we want to ensure South Australians reach their destination safely,” Mullighan shared.
These interventions are expected to generate roughly 125 full-time equivalent jobs annually throughout the construction phase, providing an economic boost alongside the critical safety improvements.
This project dovetails with an earlier commitment by the Malinauskas Government to introduce three overtaking lanes on Main South Road between Normanville and Cape Jervis, which experiences a daily traffic volume of 1,200 to 2,200 vehicles. This previous initiative was detailed during elections and has been integral to addressing the road safety concerns along that segment, which recorded 17 crashes including two fatal between 2019 and 2023.
MP Leon Bignell said, “Along with other locals in our area who drive that stretch of road on a regular basis, I’m delighted this funding has been made available to make our roads safer.
“For almost a decade now I’ve been working on getting extra funding for Main South Road and we have seen the duplication from Seaford to Sellicks, the go-ahead for the three overtaking lanes between Normanville and Cape Jervis and now the huge upgrade of the stretch between Myponga and Yankalilla.”
Together, these initiatives represent a comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing road safety along a critical network connecting several key locations within South Australia. The upcoming constructions and improvements are set to provide both immediate and long-term benefits to road users across the community.
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