Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has vowed to deliver safer, less congested roads for South Australians by pledging an $840 million investment to build the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass — a key piece of infrastructure aimed at re-routing up to 420,000 trucks a year away from busy suburban corridors like Cross Road and Portrush Road.
Dutton accused the federal Labor government of delays and underfunding, declaring that only a Coalition government would provide a “real plan” to tackle traffic and freight inefficiencies in Adelaide.
“We’re backing South Australia with a real plan to make roads safer and less congested by moving trucks off suburban streets,” he said, noting the Coalition’s proposed spend is $315 million more than Labor’s current commitment.
Labor’s 2025-26 federal budget pledged $525 million over ten years for stage one of the High Productivity Vehicle Network (HPVN), including bypassing the Truro township, duplicating the Swanport Bridge, and upgrades between Monarto and the Sturt Highway.
The freight bypass, first floated years ago, returned to the political spotlight after Labor axed previous funding in 2023. Under the revived plan, funding is expected to begin flowing this year.
However, the bypass project — especially the Truro leg — has sparked debate. SA Road Transport Association executive officer Steve Shearer told ABC that the proposal was “critically important” for freight efficiency.
“If done right, the bypass could remove a truck a minute from Adelaide’s suburban streets…But it has to be done in lockstep. Otherwise, trucks will just keep using the freeway.”
Funding arrangements remain uncertain. Federal officials told Senate Estimates the project would follow a 50:50 split model between state and federal governments, though previous agreements operated on an 80:20 model.
Opposition roads spokesperson Tony Pasin pressed the SA government for clarity.
“You can’t build half a road. As welcome as the $525 million is, it’s only half of what’s needed to get the job done.”
SA infrastructure minister Tom Koutsantonis told ABC the state is assessing its funding contribution as part of its upcoming budget and is open to negotiation.
With both major parties now backing the freight bypass in some form, South Australians may see long-awaited relief from truck-clogged streets — but only if funding and delivery align across both levels of government.
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