Transport Dept to examine Hahndorf residents’ proposed new $56m link road around Hahndorf to fix traffic chaos

A group of Hahndorf locals have devised a new road to divert traffic around the town – and now the plan is under consideration.

A new road around Hahndorf that could slash traffic through the town by up to 1200 vehicles a day is under consideration by the Department of Transport after a proposal by residents.

An experienced retired engineer engaged by frustrated locals has devised a link from River to Echunga roads – self-costed at about $56m, including land acquisition.

However, Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis – who met with residents on Friday to hear their proposal – said it was more like $100m, for a town of 3000.

The hugely popular tourist town has long been plagued by traffic congestion, even on ordinary days – a November ban on trucks down the main street angered some locals because it diverted them down narrow, winding River Rd.

The proposal would realign the dirt Fairview Road, linking the beginning of River Rd to Echunga Rd, and allow heavy trucks and cars to completely avoid Hahndorf and most of River Rd.

It aims to avoid as much homeowner pain as possible by heading along property boundaries.

Jeremy Roberts said Mr Koutsantonis requested his department prepare a cost/benefit business study, which he called a “big step forward”.

Fairview Road, outside Hahndorf, where it becomes a dirt road. The proposal would end in Fairview being turned into a link road to allow traffic to avoid Hahndorf's main street.

The federal government last month ditched its funding of a $250m Hahndorf improvement program.

Mr Roberts said despite the truck ban, Hahndorf faced gridlock and traffic congestion, with about 25-30 per cent of traffic heading through town from Echunga Rd.

“To lighten the load on the main street, the largest impact you could make is divert traffic to and from Echunga Rd,” he said.

“This links traffic on Echunga to River roads and then you use the River Rd underpass under the freeway – it’s all about getting under the freeway.”

Mr Roberts said consultation with landowners had already started.

Mr Koutsantonis said the proposal was an “interesting concept”. but said his department’s early assessment costed it “upwards of $100m”.

The proposal would link River Rd, left, with Echunga Rd, right, via Fairview Rd, in the middle

“Our priority is to continue to engage with the Commonwealth about the interchanges at Mount Barker and Verdun as well as the freight bypass at Truro, all of which had federal funding removed in the recent infrastructure review.

He said while it was an important tourist town, Hahndorf had about 3000 people and economic benefit had to been examined.

“Mount Barker’s local government area is forecast to reach close to 47,000 by 2036, and it is clear that work must be done in this region to ensure transport infrastructure can accommodate this growth,” he said.

The proposed road by retired engineer Colin Best would branch off Fairview, go across the uphill slope and rejoin Fairview near Von Doussa Rd.

“We’ve kept the grade at five or six degrees or lower, which is manageable for heavy freight.

“Then you peel off well before Kangaroo Reef Rd between two houses and down the hill before the cemetery to rejoin Echunga Rd.”

He said the link road avoided splitting Hahndorf’s sporting precinct from the town, and forcing people walking up to cross a busy road.

“Previous options squashed a road against the freeway that divided the oval from the town and rejoined River Road, careering through houses and proposed an interchange, which would level more houses – nobody much liked that.

“This proposal has sought from the start to minimise the impact on property, on the town, it steers clear of houses and keeps the sporting community linked to the town.”

He said the “dynamic idea” was not set in stone.

“There have been many iterations and different routes considered, changes made in consultation with locals, a lot of doorknocking and feedback sought and given. We’re tying to produce an option that has the least possible impact.

“If you’re going on to someone’s property, you go near the border, you don’t go through the middle of it.”

The truck diversion caused anger among River Rd residents, who say trucks are forced to cross lanes around tight corners, speed and wake residents at 4am, while flooding creates dangerous conditions.

A heavy-vehicle diversion sign in Hahndorf's main street. Supplied

River Rd resident Anne Fordham said the new link road wouldn’t solve the truck issues completely, but would help for north-south traffic from Echunga.

She said moving the trucks down River Rd had been “traumatic” for residents, not only because of the safety fears but also the early-morning starts.

“They start early in the morning, about 4am. There’s a part on Strath Rd where the limit is 80km but they belt along at 100km. If the truckies make that decision to speed, you’re in trouble. There have been close calls – you only need one to stray.”

More than 6500 people had now signed a petition against the truck diversion, she said.

Mr Best – who said he had designed wind farm roads across hills and mountain tops across Australia – said River Rd had “terrible safety issues with sight distances” and it was important to get trucks off it.