Pressure on state government to fund Hahndorf bypass as Adelaide Hills interchange upgrade funding reinstated

The state government lost its “number one excuse” to avoid paying for a Hahndorf bypass after the federal budget reinstated cash for Hills freeway interchanges, locals say.

Reinstated federal funding for two Adelaide Hills freeway interchange upgrades removes the state government’s “number-one excuse” to avoid paying for a Hahndorf bypass, locals say.

Tuesday night’s federal budget included $120m in funding controversially cut late last year to upgrade the Verdun and Mount Baker interchanges.

It also provides an extra $100m for continuing South-Eastern Freeway safety upgrades.

Verdun’s interchange would be two-way, while a duplication of Mount Barker’s interchange bridge aims to ease enormous traffic congestion.

The full $250m Hahndorf Township Improvement has not been reinstated, Treasurer Stephen Mullighan confirmed, meaning main street upgrades aren’t going ahead.

As a grassroots petition for a bypass and truck solution nears 10,000 signatures, locals said fixing “feral” traffic snarls in the tourism town’s main street was vital – requiring a bypass or link route around the town, as proposed by residents earlier this year.

Storison shop owner Carolyn Cattrall with River Rd resident Robert Stewart and Dr Anne Fordham in Hahndorf’s main street. Picture: Ben Clark

Hahndorf Business and Tourism Association chair Carolyn Cattrall said the full $250m axed township improvement plan needed to be reinstated.

“That plan was made up of a number of projects, not just the Verdun interchange, it included improving the bridge over the Onkaparinga and the main street upgrade,” she said.

“But that plan didn’t include a bypass, and that’s definitely needed. I’ll believe this funding when the bulldozer turns up.”

Hahndorf Community Association member Jeremy Roberts said with a multibillion-dollar surplus, the federal government could afford both.

“Any argument there’s some kind of choice that needs to be made between Verdun, Echunga, Hahndorf and Meadows is a false choice,” Mr Roberts said.

“This takes away the state government’s number-one excuse they’ve used for past six months not to entertain a bypass for Hahndorf, which was money needs to be spent on the interchanges first.

“Anecdotally, traffic in Hahndorf is getting feral. It’s not a case of ‘buyer beware, Hahndorf’s always been busy’ … this is a spiralling traffic snarl engulfing the local economy, dragging it down and hobbling one of the greatest attractors to destinations outside Adelaide.”

River Rd resident Ann Fordham said a full interchange at Verdun was “logical” but it would cut traffic through Hahndorf by only 10 per cent.

“I’m pleased to see the independent MPs are pushing for a north-south Hahndorf solution, but the timing shows Labor has given them a bit of a boost,” Dr Fordham said.

However, Mayo MP Rebekah Sharkie said Hahndorf’s traffic issues could not be improved without an improved two-way Verdun interchange, and called for a new Park N Ride.

“Hahndorf is used as a thoroughfare for commuters coming from the northern Hills regions travelling to Mount Barker and accessing the freeway to Murray Bridge and further afield,” she said.

“Similarly, improvements to the Mount Barker interchange will have a flow-on positive effect on Hahndorf as many commuters avoid that interchange and travel through Totness and then through Hahndorf.”

Mr Mulligan said the Transport Department was continuing to “scope out improvements” for routes that allowed trucks to travel around Adelaide Hills towns.

Kavel MP Dan Cregan said detailed plans to upgrade the Verdun interchange were ready.

“We know a proportion of trucks don’t need to come down the freeway,” he said.

“Those planning works will continue now we have confidence that we have a partner – the federal government has had a change of heart,” he said.

Mr Cregan said the Mount Barker community “desperately” needed an interchange upgrade.

“About 54,000 vehicles travel on freeway every day, and a good portion originate at and head to Mt Barker and of course tourists, and all at some point pass through that interchange,” he said.