Concept design revealed for $45m freeway interchange at Mt Barker
A new three-lane bridge and dedicated right-hand turns will form part of a $45m freeway interchange upgrade at Mt Barker, announced today. See the design.
Adelaide Hills
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A new three-lane bridge and dedicated right-hand turns will form part of a $45m freeway interchange upgrade at Mt Barker, announced today.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Corey Wingard on Wednesday unveiled the first concept design for the interchange upgrade on Adelaide Rd, only two months after announcing concept planning was under way.
He said Adelaide Rd was increasingly plagued by peak-hour gridlocks due to the town’s population boom.
“Each day around 36,700 vehicles use the interchange at the freeway, with traffic only expected to increase as new development continues across the Mt Barker area,” he said.
“The upgrade of the Mt Barker Interchange will reduce congestion and improve connectivity between the freeway and Mt Barker and other Adelaide Hills towns for the thousands of motorists who travel to and from the city every day.
“It will improve access to the freeway, providing better traffic flow and easier access, including for emergency service vehicles.
“This project is a great example of the Morrison and Marshall governments working together and continuing to deliver record infrastructure investment across the state.”
The Mount Barker Interchange upgrade includes:
• A new three-lane bridge over the South Eastern Freeway for northbound traffic with a
dedicated right-turn lane for access to the freeway via the eastbound on-ramp.
• Upgrade and conversion of the existing bridge to accommodate three lanes of southbound traffic with a dedicated right-turn lane for access to the freeway via the westbound on-ramp.
• A new shared use path installed onto the existing bridge.
• Significant widening of the west-facing on and off-ramps to improve sight distance from the freeway to the off-ramp for eastbound traffic, provide an extra lane, and increase
acceleration distance for the on-ramp for westbound traffic.
• New traffic signals at the intersection of Adelaide Rd and the westbound on and off-ramps.
The upgrade is part of the $250 million Hahndorf Township Improvements and Access.
Mt Barker District Council mayor Ann Ferguson said she welcomed the announcement and said the upgrade was “necessary” but “the tip of the iceberg as to the long list of transport infrastructure” issues for the area.
“Completion of the remainder of Heysen Boulevard in the growth area is the top of that list and council still awaits a commitment from the State Government to advance those works now as recommended by Infrastructure SA,” she said.
“Other needs include the upgrading of Adelaide Road and the various intersections along it including Hawthorn Road.
“The rapid rate of growth means that this investment is needed now.”
Kavel MP Dan Cregan said he had mixed emotions about the announcement.
“The funding for this important upgrade was in large part secured by Rebekha Sharkie’s negotiations with the Federal Government,” he said.
“This proposed upgrade is very welcome and I believe it has been announced because there is a real political competition in the Hills.
“My community is worried that the government may walk away from the commitment after the election, as was the case with Globelink.”
Mayo MP Rebekha Sharkie said it was important to note that the project would be funded as part of the $250 million Hahndorf Township Improvements and Access Upgrade Project.
“As the population of Mt Barker continues to boom, we know there’s still so more to be done to ensure we’re providing the necessary schools, hospitals and other vital infrastructure for South Australia’s fastest growing region,” she said.
“I am fiercely advocating for infrastructure projects which help improve the quality of life for not only those in the Adelaide Hills but the broader Mayo electorate in the upcoming federal budget.”
To provide feedback on the Mt Barker interchange upgrade concept design, visit
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