Image: Torrens to Darlington project/Facebook
South Australian businesses have been sharing more than $1 billion worth of work linked to the massive River Torrens to Darlington project, as the State Government pushes ahead with plans for both the final section of a non-stop South Road and future transport needs connected to AUKUS.
More than 300 South Australian businesses have now been awarded contracts through the T2D project, which forms the final stage of the long-awaited North-South Corridor. The project is designed to remove one of Adelaide’s biggest road bottlenecks and create a continuous non-stop motorway between Gawler and Old Noarlunga.
The contracts already awarded cover a wide range of work, with local companies involved in fabrication, craneage, concreting, transport, equipment hire and engineering services among those benefiting from the project.
Contract opportunities are being divided into different-sized packages, including contracts worth up to $1 million, between $1 million and $5 million, and more than $5 million, to give businesses of different sizes a chance to participate.
The T2D project has committed to 90 percent of labour hours being undertaken by South Australians and is expected to support about 5,500 jobs each year during main construction.
Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis said the project was about creating immediate work while also preparing South Australia for future growth.
“The story here is simple: we’re creating jobs today through T2D while planning for the AUKUS jobs of tomorrow,” he said.
“This is an exciting time for our State and South Australians can be proud.”
The State Government is also turning its attention to the LeFevre Peninsula, where future transport infrastructure will be needed to support expected workforce growth at the Osborne Naval Shipyard. The 2026 State Budget includes $15 million over two years for an AUKUS planning and business case to identify the transport upgrades required as demand increases.
Once completed, the non-stop South Road is expected to save motorists up to 40 minutes in peak traffic by allowing commuters to bypass 21 sets of traffic lights.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Joe Szakacs said local businesses and workers were already benefiting from the state’s largest-ever infrastructure project.
“We made a commitment that South Australians would benefit from the State’s largest-ever infrastructure project, and that’s exactly what we’re seeing with local businesses across a range of industries having already secured work,” he said.
“We’re not only delivering the final section of a Non-Stop South Road, we’re also ensuring local businesses and workers share in the benefits every step of the way.”
Mr Koutsantonis said the investment would have long-term benefits for commuters, freight and the state’s economy.
“That is the difference between borrowing because of poor economic management and borrowing to create productive, game-changing infrastructure that will yield a generational return on investment – and more importantly make life easier for commuters and more productive for business,” he said.
