The green light has been given for a new $6.1m culvert on the Princes Highway between Millicent and Kingston.

The all-party Public Works Committee of State Parliament recently found the new build over Drain L was justified.

Member for MacKillop Nick McBride has welcomed the highway upgrade and noted the culvert is only 1km from the entrance to his home on Conmurra Station.

“In summing up, it is very pleasing to see that this sort of infrastructure is important,” Mr McBride said.

“There is a lot more to do.

“The word was that, when the Marshall government came to power in March of 2018, around $45m was needed to upgrade bridges in the Limestone Coast area that were falling down in a state of disrepair.

“That money still has not been found.

““I am hoping that this new Labor government will recognise that and work with our Federal counterparts to try to address the bridges, access and roads.”

The other speakers to support the new culvert were Public Works Committee chairman and Labor backbencher Michael Brown and Shadow Regional Roads Minister Adrian Pederick.

Mr Brown said the Princes Highway Drain L bridge was identified as a priority for replacement due to its narrow width and current condition.

He said the scope of proposed works included the removal of the existing culvert, installation of a new triple-cell culvert, and new pavement construction and servicing works.

“By replacing the culvert, these works aim to provide better road safety and driving conditions, enhance access for higher productivity vehicles, and improve route reliability and network resilience,” Mr Brown said.

“There is an annual average daily traffic of approximately 600 vehicles on the Princes Highway in the vicinity of the culvert.

“It is estimated that 26% , or approximately 156, of these are heavy vehicles.”