MEDIA RELEASE
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
31 March 2025

As the Member for Stuart, I have been lobbying strongly for upgrades to regional road infrastructure, including bridges and culverts on the Horrocks Highway.

I am very pleased to advise that upgrades to the Wild Dog Culvert, located approximately 1km south of Murray Town on the Horrocks Highway, will commence on Thursday, 3rd May 2025 until late May 2025, weather permitting. The Wild Dog Culvert is the final culvert to be upgraded as part of the Horrocks Highway culvert replacement project. The project has been funded by a $5.2 million joint commitment by the Australian and South Australian governments (80:20), as part of the Bridges Renewal Program.

This upgrade is greatly welcomed, not only by myself but by all the communities in the area, particularly those in the farming sector. Bridges and culverts on the Horrocks Highway, between Wilmington and Gladstone have been unattended for some years, reducing the efficiency of the road trains and loads being able to be transported. Grain industry operators have been particularly affected, having to use alternative routes to take their products to Gladstone.

The current capacity of the Wild Dog culvert is 2A, which allows a 26.5-metre vehicle, and it will be upgraded to 2B to allow 30-metre vehicles. The culvert will be further upgraded to 3A, which will allow 36.5 metre vehicles to travel directly between Wilmington and Gladstone.

The new culvert will widen the road, enabling the access for vehicles up to PBS level 3A which will allow higher efficiency and reduce travelling times for those farmers and other road users. These upgrades are all part of the upgrading of key arterial roads, allowing for greater efficiency and improved reliability.

Early works are due to commence in April 2025, including site surveys and the construction of a temporary two-way access track adjacent to Horrocks Highway. The temporary access track will ensure construction work can be undertaken safely, adjacent to traffic. At the completion of early works in May 2025, traffic will be diverted around the works area, via the temporary two-way access road until major works are completed in late September 2025.

During this time, lane and speed restrictions will be in place throughout the work area, including outside of work hours where required. Hours of work will be between Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm and there may be some weekend work required. Please be patient and consider the traffic management plans that will be in place. Advance notice will be provided prior to commencement of major works and the change to traffic impacts.

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