Globelink lite: North-south freight route to be upgraded

The federal government will upgrade a freight route north of Murray Bridge after the state government abandoned plans for a new road corridor.

Part of a $1.5 billion infrastructure package announced last week will be spent upgrading the route from Murray Bridge to Annadale, on the Sturt Highway.

Speed restrictions will be lifted on the Ridley Road and Halfway House Road sections, beyond the Mannum turn-off, among other works.

Federal MP Tony Pasin said such works would help maintain jobs in the construction sector, and growth more broadly, as Australia's economy began to recover from COVID-19.

“Every single job that we support makes a huge difference in our local communities, now and as we navigate out of the pandemic,” he said.

Also included in the infrastructure spend will be surface improvements, shoulder sealing and safety measures along the Dukes Highway.

The state government had previously investigated the idea of building a new road and rail bypass from Monarto to Truro, named Globelink, which would have provided a quicker link between the Sturt Highway and South Eastern Freeway and reduced traffic in the Adelaide Hills.

However, a business case published in January showed the costs of such a project would far outweigh any benefits.

Image: Peri Strathearn/Google Maps.