Lobethal is now fully accessible to B-double vehicles, with the completion of a series of road upgrades that link the town to the Adelaide Hills freight route.
Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin said 34 kilometres of road between Palmer and Lobethal were upgraded as part of the Lobethal Freight Access Upgrade project.
“Improved freight productivity will promote greater export competitiveness for local businesses,” Mr Pasin said.
“The upgrade also future-proofs this part of the road network, as traffic volumes in the area are expected to grow.”
In response to the January 2018 major fire event at the Thomas Foods International meat processing facility at Murray Bridge, the South Australian Department of Planting, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) has been granting permission for B-double vehicles to travel to the company’s Lobethal plant on a permit basis for individual vehicles.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said completion of the infrastructure upgrade works has enabled the formal approval of this route as an extension to SA’s Restricted Access Vehicle (RAV) network between Palmer to Lobethal, via Tungkillo and Mount Torrens.
“The route extension allows B-doubles to travel along Randell Road, Terlinga Road, Onkaparinga Valley Road, Mount Torrens Road and Frick Street,” Mr McCormack said.
“The upgrade works along the arterial road network included various bridge upgrades, road curve and shoulder widening, as well as upgrades to several slow vehicle turn-outs and intersections.
“This is all part of the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government’s 10 year pipeline of infrastructure projects getting Australians to where they need to be sooner and safer.”
The provision of safe and efficient access for B-double vehicles to the Lobethal area was identified as a high priority in the A Modern Transport System for Agriculture survey, a joint initiative of DPTI, Primary Industry and Regions SA, and Primary Producers SA.
The Federal Liberal and Nationals Government fully funded the $14 million upgrade project.
