Joy Baluch Bridge upgrade ready to be delivered

Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey was pleased to be with Premier Steven Marshall for the announcement of the major works contract to construct the $200 million Joy Baluch Bridge duplication and the $124.5 million Port Wakefield works on Sunday.
The projects which both have a 80 per cent Federal and 20 per cent State government funding split have been awarded to a consortium of CPB Contractors Pty Ltd, Aurecon Pty Ltd and GHD Pty Ltd which will design and construct the bridge upgrades and the Port Wakefield overpass and highway duplication works.
Mr Ramsey said local company, McMahon Services which already had permanent depots in Whyalla and Port Pirie had been given the opportunity to deliver most of the construction works, showing a commitment to small to medium business and employing locals.
“The Joy Baluch project will improve freight efficiency, travel times, overtaking opportunities, and safety for all road users,” Mr Ramsey said. “Most importantly it will provide pedestrians and cyclists a separated access corridor across the gulf.”
Mr Ramsey said the public had been crying out for a solution for the “Crash Corner”, at the intersection of the Port Wakefield Road and the Copper Coast Highway.
“When I first stood for parliament in 2007 the Coalition committed to funding a solution at this intersection. We did not win that election, and as Labor had not made a similar commitment it didn’t happen,” Mr Ramsey said. “Now 13 years later with governments in both Adelaide and Canberra that are commited to our regions we are getting the job done.”
Mr Ramsey said both of these projects were long overdue and users were really looking forward to works getting underway and road safety improving, particularly during busy holiday periods.
“These projects are part of the Federal Governments $100 billion infrastructure commitment,” Mr Ramsey said. “More than half a billion dollars in the Grey electorate are either under construction or have a solid commitment – Investment of this scale is unprecedented.”
Major construction work for both projects are expected to begin in the second half of 2020, with completion expected in 2022, weather permitting.
Media contat: Leonie Lloyd-Smith (08)8633 1744