Embattled minister marks Adelaide Hills bridge milestone
After weeks of taking fire for Torrens to Darlington project controversy, the transport minister was in the Adelaide Hills today immersing himself in a different infrastructure project. See the video.
Transport Minister Joe Szakacs appeared with Mount Barker local and Kavel MP Matt Schultz today to announce a milestone on a new multimillion-dollar three-laned bridge straddling the South Eastern Freeway.
The last of 12 massive concrete beams supporting the new Mount Barker bridge are being installed after being delivered to the site under police escort overnight.
It is part of a $150 million joint commitment project from the state and federal governments that includes bypass works at nearby Verdun interchange long plagued with traffic congestion issues and car accidents.
Szakacs said “seeing these massive beams being lifted into place is a truly impressive sight” and that the works would double the current road’s capacity.
It was Szakacs’ first press conference in 10 days since he fronted the media about severing Torrens to Darlington ties with a commercial cleaning company connected to a firm that was allegedly infiltrated by bikies.
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Szakacs has been fielding questions from opposition leader Ashton Hurn in parliament’s question time all week over the Torrens to Darlington project.
Each beam weighs more than 84 tonnes and is 38 metres long, manufactured by South Australian company Bianco Precast.
A 220-tonne crane will lift the heavy concrete planks into place, forming part of an 80-metre-long, 14-metre-wide bridge with three northbound traffic lanes and an on-road bike lane.
The existing bridge at the Mount Barker and Verdun interchange will be converted to accommodate three southbound lanes, with traffic signals and lighting forming part of the upgrade.
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“Our government is committed to improving road safety and busting frustrating congestion,” Szakacs said.
“These upgrades will improve traffic flow, travel-time reliability and safety at peak for the growing Hills region.”
The state government said the construction supported about 260 full-time jobs, and the bridge was due to be opened to traffic in late 2027.
His announcement today comes as the Torrens to Darlington Alliance prepares to appear in Parliament’s Budget and Finance Committee on Monday morning over recent allegations and contracts being severed.
Today, Szakacs said his department “regularly appears before committees of parliament… it’s a good thing, and it’s part of our democracy, and they regularly do that”.
“The statement I can make is absolutely unequivocal. There is no place on the Torrens to Darlington project for crime. If you have even the slightest whiff, the private alliance will move you on,” he said.
“If there is even the slightest whiff of nefarious activity, they will move you on. They will not be impeded. They will exercise their very strong contractual obligations.
“This is a project which has been delivered on time, on budget, supporting thousands of South Australians in work. That’s the focus I’ve got.”
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