The CCAA has welcomed the $16.7 billion in infrastructure expenditure announced in the South Australian Government’s 2020-21 Budget.
The infrastructure pipeline includes a $6.9 billion investment in roads and a $4 billion investment in public infrastructure projects across the next four years, including the final section of the North-South Corridor project which will feature tunnels along the South Road corridor.
Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) chief executive officer Ken Slattery said the North-South Corridor will bring more construction materials demand to Australia.
“The southern tunnels at approximately 4km long will be the longest tunnels in South Australian history,” he said. “Together with the planned northern tunnel, airport link and surface motorways, the North-South Corridor will be transformed into a 78]km non-stop freeway, saving commuters time and money.
“From our perspective, it will also help deliver future infrastructure projects more cost-effectively, as heavy construction materials can be delivered more quickly and safely.”
‘Hi-vis-led recovery’
The Budget also features an $851 million “Tradies Package” to boost jobs in the critical building and construction sector.
South Australia Premier Steven Marshall said this would fast-track the state’s COVID-19 economic recovery.
“This is the single biggest infrastructure investment of any government in the state’s history that will see a hi-vis led economic recovery of a scale not seen in South Australia ever before,” he said.
“We are delivering a comprehensive package of works that will not only transform the daily lives and neighbourhoods of South Australians across the state but will create thousands of jobs – many of them over the next 18 months to two years.
“Our record investment includes world class infrastructure projects, such as the much anticipated North-South Corridor final stage ($2 billion provisioned to 2023-24) and provision for the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital ($685 million), while also focusing on those important projects that can get underway and be completed, or near complete, in the short term.”
Concrete road benefits
CCAA state director Jason Kuchel said the organisation would work with stakeholders as the planned construction gathers pace.
“CCAA’s recently released South Australian Policy Priorities Document highlights the life-cycle cost-benefits of building roads in concrete,” he said.
“This is an excellent opportunity to build the whole road out of concrete to ensure tunnel disruption in the future is minimised to the lowest possible level. It also fits with the Department of Infrastructure and Transport’s stated views that concrete is ideal for roads without services underneath.
“Just like the Northern Connector, concrete will prove to be the best choice for the government as the asset owner, as well as for the motoring public.”