Hahndorf locals come up with fourth option to solve Adelaide Hills town’s constant traffic jams

For decades, Hahndorf has been besieged by trucks and cars blocking its main street. Frustrated by options from experts, locals sat down and worked it out themselves.

Residents and businesses have won over the state government with their solution to a traffic headache in their Adelaide Hills town.

The Hahndorf locals – unimpressed with three options offered by the Infrastructure Department to solve the traffic log jam in their popular tourist town – have come up with their own plan to move commercial traffic away from their busy main street and on to the South Eastern Freeway.

It allows Hills truck traffic to avoid the town centre via easy access to the freeway.

And the state government has now added that new option – devised working with departmental planners – to its three solutions and released them all for public comment.

Infrastructure Minister Corey Wingard said the final plan chosen must fix “traffic, safety, connectivity and liveability” in the town and on its main street, Mount Barker Rd.

He said the community-led plan would have easy access to the freeway north and south of the town.

The solution to the Hahndorf main street traffic snarl worked out between the community and state government. Picture: supplied

“The development of this new option for Hahndorf is further evidence that when we ask for input from local communities, it is genuine engagement, and we listen to what they have to say,” Mr Wingard said.

“We went to the community earlier this year with three different options and have now developed a new fourth option based directly on feedback from the public.”

Leathersmith Sebastian Graham said public support was behind the fourth option.

“Heavy vehicles are a huge problem on the main street and all of the options would help make it a village again,’’ he said. “But the fourth option is favoured by most.”

Sebastian Graham from Hahndorf Leathersmith, Lucy Moody from Somerled Cellar Bar, and Hahndorf local Colin Rich in the main street. Picture: Matt Loxton

The winning option of the four ideas in the $1m Hahndorf Strategic Traffic Planning Study will deliver next year’s $250m upgrade, funded by the Commonwealth and state governments.

In 300 submissions to the design study, some locals worried access to Hahndorf Oval and recreation reserve could be affected and tourist traffic to the popular strip could be reduced.

Mount Barker Deputy Mayor Narelle Hardingham said it was more than a coincidence that two groups of residents had independently come up with very similar plans.

“My personal view is that the fourth option addressed many of the concerns, especially the number of homes impacted,’’ she said.

Under the fourth option, bypasses would give access to the freeway north and south of the town.

Hahndorf traffic chaos during a public holiday. Picture: Emma Brasier

A new freeway underpass and connector road between Mount Barker and Echunga roads would be built in the Paechtown area south of Hahndorf. On and off ramps would provide full access towards the east and west.

North of the town at the Verdun interchange, there would be east-facing ramps to the freeway. This option would not require the construction of a new link road between Echunga and River roads.

The main street is currently the only convenient route for freight vehicles travelling northbound or southbound through the local area, which amounts to about 11,000 vehicles per day.

A final decision will be made early next year after consultation on option four ends on December 10.