The Hon Peter Dutton – Leader of the Opposition, Federal Member for Dickson
Senator The Hon Bridget McKenzie – Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Leader of the Nationals in the Senate
Mr Tony Pasin – Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Member For Barker
Mr James Stevens – Member for Sturt
Ms Nicolle Flint – Liberal Party Candidate for Boothby
7 April 2025
An elected Dutton Coalition Government will deliver $840 million to build the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass improving the productivity and safety of South Australia’s road network.
The Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass is a critical project for South Australia, providing heavy vehicles with an alternative route around the Adelaide Hills removing approximately 60 per cent of heavy vehicles from the SE Freeway between Murray Bridge and Adelaide, and subsequently Adelaide suburbs.
This project was in planning under the former State and Federal Liberal governments with stage one to bypass Truro scheduled to begin in late 2023, before the Albanese Labor Government axed the project just months before works were due to commence.
Under the Liberal Plan, the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass will deliver:
• A Truro Township bypass
• Duplication of Swanport Bridge
• Upgrades to the Monarto Interchange and Monarto Level Crossing
• Realignment of key intersections, new overtaking lanes, rest areas and targeted pavement widening between Monarto and the Sturt Highway
Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Peter Dutton MP said the Coalition will get the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass back on track, with money to begin flowing this year, delivering the project sooner.
“This exciting project will cut congestion and improve the safety of Adelaide suburban streets as well as making a significant improvement to the national freight task at both the Sturt Highway and duplication of the Swanport Bridge on the South Eastern Freeway,” Mr Dutton said.
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator Bridget McKenzie said the Coalition will continue its strong history of delivering critical road infrastructure upgrades across the nation.
Under Our Plan, we will get the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass Back on Track.
“After wasting the past three years reviewing, delaying and cutting more than 3billion in funding for major infrastructure projects, we have seen the Albanese Labor Government play a cruel hoax on the people of South Australia. By announcing only $525 million, just 50 per cent of the bypass we know it won’t get built.”
The Coalition invites the South Australian Government to partner with us by delivering 20 per cent of the project costs to get this vital project back on track,” Senator McKenzie said.
Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety and Member for Barker, Tony Pasin MP said the Albanese Government has delayed the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass by cancelling the Truro bypass as part of its cuts to infrastructure projects over the past three years.
“The Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass is vital for increasing the productivity, efficiency, and safety of South Australia’s freight network. Three years of Labor’s inaction has put our state in the slow lane,” Mr Pasin said.
“By getting this project back on track, we can increase the efficiency and productivity of our supply chain and improve safety on our regional and suburban roads.”
This commitment to build the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass comes after many years of campaigning by Federal Liberal members and candidates who between them have over 10,000 signatures calling for the construction of the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass to get the majority of heavy trucks out of Adelaide Hills and suburbs.
Member for Sturt, James Stevens, MP who has long campaigned to get trucks off suburban Portrush Road said the Dutton Liberal Government commitment will cheered by his constituents.
“Locals in Adelaide’s east are sick and tired of trucks barrelling along Portrush Road, it is dangerous and causes traffic chaos. This commitment will make their daily commute safer and quicker,” said Mr Stevens.
“This Bypass will finally put an end to Labor’s long-standing plan to turn Cross Road into a heavy truck route once the North South Corridor is complete,” said Boothby candidate, Nicolle Flint.
“Our plan for the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass will see it built sooner so that Cross Road never becomes a heavy freight corridor.
“Adelaide is the only capital city in Australia where heavy trucks share suburban roads and our community deserves better.”
Candidate for Mayo, Zane Basic, said the Dutton Liberal Government plan will ease congestion on the South Eastern Freeway, particularly for those residents who drive from the Hills into the city for work.
“Residential growth in the Adelaide Hills has the Freeway at breaking point. With this bypass we can reduce interstate freight on the Freeway and increase safety.
“Locals tell me every day they sit at the toll gate traffic lights wondering if an out-of-control truck will be racing down behind. This Bypass cannot come soon enough.”