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Long term planning for the South Eastern Freeway Heavy Vehicle Safety Review

The South Eastern Freeway provides the most direct connection between Adelaide and Melbourne. It’s a key corridor connecting Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills. As part of the National Land Transport Network, maintaining efficient operation of the freeway is recognised by Infrastructure Australia as a nationally significant issue.

A key action of South Australia’s Road Safety Action Plan 2023-2025 is to investigate ways to improve safety on the South Eastern Freeway down-track. We understand the freeway is a vital route for many thousands of commuters and for freight. We know that demand for freight is increasing. Improving our road network to create an efficient and safe infrastructure for all road users is key priority for the South Australian Government.

The Adelaide Hills is projected to have significant population growth, particularly around Mount Barker.

Projects in planning or underway

High Productivity Vehicle Network

The Federal Government has committed $525 million to deliver the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass as part of Stage 1 of the High Productivity Vehicle Network. It includes duplication of the Swanport Bridge near Murray Bridge and various road upgrades between Monarto and the Sturt Highway. The project will allow access for higher productivity vehicles to bypass the South Eastern Freeway and metropolitan Adelaide.

High Productivity Vehicle Network (HPVN)

South Eastern Freeway Upgrade

This $200 million project involved a complete safety refit and upgrade of the Heysen Tunnels, and will include Stage 2 of the Managed Motorway project. This will deliver a managed motorway between Crafers and Glen Osmond, including extending and upgrading the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) equipment, such as thermal incident detection systems, new and replacement Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), Lane Use Management Signs (LUMS) and Variable Message Signage (VMS).

South Eastern Freeway Upgrade (2024 to 2026)

The following projects are in planning and are expected to be completed in 2027:

South Eastern Freeway Interchanges Upgrades

The existing Mount Barker and Verdun Interchanges will be upgraded.

South Eastern Freeway Interchanges Upgrades

South Australian Freight and Supply Chain Strategy

As part of the strategy we aim to facilitate transparent and long-term planning across infrastructure and land-use, identifying and protecting freight networks and supply chain assets, to support informed decision making and user safety.

Freight and Supply Chain Strategy

Contact

Engagement Team