South Australia is facing a record $2.1 billion road maintenance backlog, with the state’s peak motoring body warning the network is deteriorating faster than it can be repaired.
The Auditor-General’s latest report found road conditions have worsened by $1.6 billion over the past five years, while only $892 million was spent on maintenance, a shortfall of about 45 per cent.
RAA Senior Manager of Infrastructure and Road Safety, Charles Mountain, said the situation poses serious risks to both safety and productivity.
“Roads with potholes, rutting, crumbling shoulders and washouts are in need of repair and are less safe and less productive,” Mr Mountain said.
“Country roads with higher speed limits pose an even greater risk when they’re in poor condition.
“If you hit a pothole or your wheel drops off a crumbling shoulder at 110 kilometres an hour, the consequences can be horrific – possibly fatal.”
The RAA is calling for an additional $1 billion investment over four years to “break the back” of the growing backlog, warning the problem is quickly getting away from the government.
The report highlights the challenge of maintaining the state’s $36 billion transport network, which includes more than 13,000 kilometres of sealed roads and 10,000 kilometres of unsealed roads.
While major infrastructure projects such as the North-South Corridor and the planned Adelaide Hills Freight Bypass are progressing through their planning phases, Mr Mountain said regular maintenance was being neglected.
“While it’s great to see governments investing significantly in transport projects, maintaining our existing road network seems to be falling well behind,” he said.
“Without serious investment, our roads will continue to deteriorate faster than the state can fix them, and that makes for a bumpy – and less safe – ride for all South Australians.”
