Rebekha delivers $15M for Verdun Interchange solution

The South Eastern Freeway is a step closer to having a fully-functioning, two-way interchange at Verdun thanks to a $15 million Federal Budget commitment secured through the direct advocacy of the Member for Mayo, Rebekha Sharkie.

The funding was announced by the Government today ahead of the Budget and is included in the $200 million Hahndorf Township Improvements and Access Upgrade project.

The Hahndorf project is part of a $625 million investment into transport infrastructure in South Australia that also includes $136 million for Stage 2 of the Main South Road Duplication between Aldinga and Sellicks Beach and $12 million for overtaking lanes on the Victor Harbor Roads.

The $12 million for the Victor Harbor Road was also directly negotiated by Rebekha and her Centre Alliance colleague Senator Stirling Griff.

“I welcome the Government's announcement of $200 million for the Hahndorf Township Improvements and Access Upgrade project," Rebekha said.

"$15 million of that funding was secured by Centre Alliance and our intention in negotiating that funding was to address the problems with the one-way Verdun freeway interchange.

"This is a priority for our community and a priority infrastructure project that I share with the Adelaide Hills and Mount Barker Council so I have sought an urgent meeting with the State Government to discuss how the interchange fits into their Hahndorf Township Improvements and Access Upgrade project.

“The current interchange only travels in one direction which means trucks and cars travelling through the Adelaide Hills heading towards Murray Bridge need to weave through Hahndorf or Littlehampton in order to gain access to the Freeway.

“Similarly, without a freeway exit at Verdun, we are missing out on visitors to the Adelaide Hills.

“I have raised this with successive governments since first being elected in 2016 and the Government did announce a $1 million investment in a strategic traffic plan for Hahndorf in 2018.

“However, our community will tell you that we do not need a study to tell us what needs to be done. We need it to be a two-way freeway interchange.

“The $15 million in the Hahndorf project goes the extra mile to make this infrastructure a reality.

“Local councils have advised that the project will cost around $15 million and this will be money well spent.”