PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER 45/ 95
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER THE HON P. J. KEATING, MP
MOUNT BARKER ROAD AND ADELAIDE AIRPORT
I am -pleased to announce today that the Commonwealth Government will
undertake in South Austraia two major iftasfructure projedts, the Mount Barker
Road and the extension of Adelade airport
The Commonwealth will build an 8.3 kilometre divided freeway, including a sbx
lane tunnel, to replace the present 10.4 Idlorreftes of steep and winding
undivided road on Mount Barker the gateway to Adelaide on the Adelaide-
Melbourne National Transport Corridor.
The project~ the estimated cost of which is $ 130 miullion, will be funded from the
Commonwealths National Highway program. Planning and land auisition will
begi immediately and construction will commence as soon as this process is
complete-The freeway will make a significant conitribution to safet and will reduce travel
time for both heavy vehkies and commuters.
The Commonwealth w. 4ll also immediatey commission design work and undertake
any necessay environmental shzdies; to finslise plans to the extension of
Adelaide airporL
The Comnmonwealth will fund any shortfal between the South Australian
governmenes already declaed commiet of $ 20 million and the cost of the
extension., Constructin of the extension will proceed ahead of the leasing of
Adelaide airport. The South Austfwia government wigl have the opportunity to
recoup their investmnt through the proceeds of the airport when it is [ eased.
Taken together, these projects represent two of the most important infrastructure
works undertaken anywhere in the Commonwealth.
ADELAIDE 16 May 199S