Call for overtaking lanes for Victor Harbor Road now urgent
Posted August 09, 2019
Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie has renewed her call for more overtaking lanes on the Victor Harbor Road between Mount Compass and Victor Harbor following another crash on this increasingly busy highway.
The Centre Alliance MP raised the issue in a speech to Federal Parliament last week after a fatality at Mount Jagged and repeated her call this Monday following a report of a two-car collision just outside of Mount Compass.
"Improving safety on Victor Harbor Road has been a high priority for me since I obtained office in 2016 and I have continued my advocacy to all levels of Government, more recently with the Morrison Federal Government," Rebekha said.
"This road is just getting busier and we need urgent funding for more overtaking lanes between Mount Compass and Victor Harbor until a case can be made for the road's duplication all the way to Victor.
"The South Australian Government has promised to build an overtaking lane between the Crows Nest Road intersection and the roundabout near the wildlife park, which is welcome, but the timing has not been announced and frankly we need more than this one overtaking lane.
"Also welcome is the 2019/20 Federal Budget announcement of $73 million to complete the duplication of the South Road to McLaren Vale.
"However, work won't start until 2022 and it isn't expected to be finished until 2027. It also doesn't address the real problem and that's the lack of overtaking lanes at the other end of Victor Harbor, a winding, incredibly busy highway.
"The Victor Harbor Goolwa region is one of the fastest growing urban areas in South Australia and on the Fleurieu, and it is the most visited day trip destination outside the metropolitan area.
"In recent weeks I have taken my advocacy to the Morrison Government, requesting Federal money for overtaking lanes.
"I will also be raising the issue with the State Premier Steven Marshall in a meeting with him this week."
Figures obtained by RAA show there were 13 fatalities, 33 serious injuries and 94 minor injuries recorded on the Victor Harbor Rd (Noarlunga to Victor Harbor) between 2013 and 2017.
