The region’s main highway will undergo a $5m upgrade in a bid to improve road safety.

There will be a series of upgrades along the 180km corridor of the Riddoch Highway between Mount Gambier and Keith.

This will include surface treatment, widening of existing narrow sealed shoulders, audio tactile line-marking, sealing and widening outside of curves.

The Federal Government has pledged $4,080,000 towards the project while the State Government will contribute $1,020,000.

Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the funding would deliver crucial road safety upgrades as well as supporting shovel-ready construction activity.  

“These works will help to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries occurring on our roads,” he said. 

“I am pleased to see road safety projects on the Riddoch Highway, Ngarkat Highway and Karoonda Highway will be delivered under the Road Safety Program.

“The most important thing we can do for our community is ensure we all get home safely.

“Sadly around 1200 people die and 40,000 are seriously injured on our roads each year.

“I travel in excess of 100,000km a year and so I know how important road safety is,” Mr Pasin said.

“I also know how fatalities and serious injuries impact communities and so I am very pleased to be making this announcement.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Barnaby Joyce said one life lost on Australian roads was one too many.  

“That’s why the Australian Government has committed $3b for the nationwide road safety program,” he said. 


“The funding supports the fast roll-out of life-saving safety works on rural and regional roads and is another example of the Australian government working to reduce the number of Australians missing around the dinner table due to tragedies on our roads.”