Skip to main content

Australia’s key road upgrade

A major highway project could boost connectivity in Australia. The country’s South Road upgrade would cost close to US$5.43 billion (A$7 billion) over the next 10 years. The proposal is to turn the South Road in Adelaide into a non-stop north-south corridor. To complete the work, another 34km of road needs to be developed. The strategy shows 10 different road projects need to be finished at a total $5.38 billion in today's money, and does not include two projects that have already received financing, namely
May 20, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
A major highway project could boost connectivity in Australia. The country’s South Road upgrade would cost close to US$5.43 billion (A$7 billion) over the next 10 years. The proposal is to turn the South Road in Adelaide into a non-stop north-south corridor. To complete the work, another 34km of road needs to be developed. The strategy shows 10 different road projects need to be finished at a total $5.38 billion in today's money, and does not include two projects that have already received financing, namely the River Torrens to Torrens Road upgrade and the Darlington Road upgrade. Costs include constructing lowered and elevated sections of roadway, and also buying businesses, homes and land that will cost over $792 million alone. The section of South Road between Torrensville and Anzac Highway is highlighted in the planning study and is the most expensive. It will cost $1.82 billion to improve that section and will include short tunnels under Henley Beach Road, Sir Donald Bradman Drive and James Congdon Drive. The $6.73 billion strategy was prepared by the state government of South Australia.

Related Content

  • Australia: Adelaide's South Road upgrade to be a 1km longer
    December 18, 2015
    The US$644 million South Road upgrade in Adelaide will be 1km longer than planned following cost savings measures, according to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Much of the savings were gained through design improvements and fewer relocations of services such as gas, water and electricity. A report by ABC in May said that completely turning Adelaide's South Road into a non-stop north-south corridor in the next decade 10 will cost just over $5.04 billion. ABC News said it had see
  • $10.1 billion South Australia road and tunnel project
    July 14, 2025
    Work is underway for a $10.1 billion South Australian road and tunnel project.
  • South Australia road corridor plan
    February 24, 2022
    South Australia has plans for a major road corridor project.
  • Start of Torrens section upgrade of Adelaide’s North-South Corridor
    August 12, 2015
    Work is underway in the Australian city of Adelaide on a US$657 million upgrade of the Torrens Road to River Torrens section of the North-South Corridor. Nearly 500 workers will eventually be on site to upgrade the 3.7km section of road, of which 3km will be made into a non-stop roadway. The project includes a 2km section of non-stop lowered motorway as well as an overpass for the city’s Outer Harbour rail line. Contractors will deliver six intersection upgrades as well as improved cycling and pedestr