Riddoch Highway Overtaking Lane

We are continuing to undertake safety improvements on the Riddoch Highway by constructing a new overtaking lane between Padthaway and Naracoorte.

This project forms part of the South Australian Rural Roads Safety Package, which is jointly funded (80:20) by the Australian and South Australian governments and aims to improve road safety and increase freight productivity for all road users.

The Riddoch Highway is a key transport corridor for farming, freight and tourist movements in and out of South Australia. Upgrading the Riddoch Highway will provide safer overtaking options, increased efficiency for road users and freight vehicles, reduce driver fatigue associated with increased passenger vehicle efficiency and lower journey times for all road users.

The safety improvements on the Riddoch Highway include construction of a new southbound overtaking lane and upgrades to the Dickensons Road and Elmor Road junctions, this aligns with previous construction of a northbound overtaking lane, north of Wrattonbully Road, Joanna, and a new southbound overtaking lane south of Edenhope Road, Coonawarra was completed in May 2023.

Click here for more information in the latest project update.

Benefits

Safe overtaking options

Reduced driver fatigue

Improved journey time consistency

Proposed treatment plan

Safety improvements

The Riddoch Highway is a key transport corridor for farming, freight and tourist movements in and out of South Australia. Upgrading the Riddoch Highway will provide:

Improved road safety with eased driver frustration
Increased efficiency of travel for passenger vehicles
Increased safety and productivity for freight vehicles
Improved journey time consistency, with less variability caused by unexpected queueing
Reductions in driver fatigue associated with increased passenger vehicle efficiency and lower journey times

Project timing

Early works for the new overtaking lane will commence in the coming months and include essential activities such as service relocations, site survey and ground investigations.

Major construction is anticipated to commence in late 2026, subject to weather conditions.

For further information

If you have any further enquiries or wish to register your interest in the project to receive updates, please: