The recent 2025-26 State Budget has allocated funding for several crucial road projects across South Australia. But the RAA warns maintenance funding still falls short, leaving a $2 billion backlog unchecked. Among the projects funded, substantial sums are dedicated to enhancing major freight routes and removing dangerous level crossings.
$125 million has been provided to support the development of the High Productivity Vehicle Route, which includes the Adelaide Hills Freight Bypass as part of a joint effort with the Federal Government. The Curtis Road level crossing removal has also secured $125 million towards the $250 million needed for the initiative.
Other projects of note include $40 million for upgrading Main South Road between Myponga and Yankalilla, and a $110 million road safety package that will help to install new safety cameras and support additional road maintenance.
CEO of the RAA Nick Reade said, “Curtis Road was top of the list in RAA’s recent Risky Roads survey.” The level crossing removal, coupled with the new roundabout at Heaslip Road, is anticipated to significantly improve traffic flow and safety on this route.
Reade also called for a more favourable funding model for the freight bypass, suggesting an 80/20 funding split rather than the current 50/50 arrangement to save taxpayer wallets.
According to the RAA, there was hope for a $1 billion investment over four years to start addressing the staggering $2 billion backlog in road maintenance. “It still falls well short of what’s needed to reduce the backlog,” Reade stated.
However, the budget has made new provisions for public transport. This includes making on-demand bus services a permanent feature in Mt Barker and introducing a substantial fare reduction for students using public transport, with a focus on those purchasing a 28-day MetroCARD.
“The on-demand bus service has been extremely popular in Mt Barker and RAA has been calling for some time to make this service permanent,” Reade confirmed. There is also a push from RAA for the government to trial on-demand services in other regional areas like Victor Harbor and Goolwa to improve transport accessibility.
While this budget has taken steps towards improving some aspects of South Australia’s transport system, the RAA is still pushing for additional funding to fix what’s broken and keep traffic moving.
