Painfully slow Gawler East Link Road still 50km/h

Driving 50km/h on the Gawler East Link Road means motorists are “watching the speedo half the time instead of the road” but a solution to this go-slow is coming soon.

The speed limit on the new Gawler East Link Road is still 50km/h despite council investigating a rise in the speed limit since November.

On November 11 last year a Gawler Special Council Meeting carried a motion for the speed limit to be increased from 50km/h to 60km/h, and to investigate the possibility of up to 80km/h.

Gawler Mayor Karen Redman said that following the motion, council instructed staff to investigate an increase to 60km/h and consideration will also occur to any potential increase to 80 km/h where possible.

“Following completion of the investigation, staff will advise the Council of outcomes and a decision will be made, it is likely the Council will consider this matter again in the next few months,” Ms Redman said.

The Mayor then said if following the report the change is supported, the council will then need to seek approval from the state government through the Department of Transport and Infrastructure.

Councillor Nathan Shanks said the process can appear slow but he is confident progress on the matter was occuring.

“Unfortunately it’s not as easy as us making a decision and changing the signs, there’s a whole state government procedure to go through,” Mr Shanks said.

“All these processes take a long time which is probably why it seems like nothing’s happening, but it’s happening in the background,” Mr Shanks said.

Deputy Mayor Brian Sambell said the roads current speed is frustrating and it was not originally the councils decision to have the speed limit of the road set to 50 km/h.

He also remarked a recent cycling event saw riders reach up to 80 km/h.

“All of us here at the Council want it to be increased to at least 60 because it’s such an open area, you even have to hold your brakes on to keep at 50” Mr Sambell said.

The Gawler East link road which remains at 50km/h. Picture Jason Katsaras

Evanston Park man Cosie Costa drives on the road daily and says the 50km/h speed limit is infuriating.

“The road is so steep you’re watching your speedo half the time instead of the road, which is dangerous” Mr Costa said.
“People must be avoiding the route, for this reason because it’s always quiet.” said Mr Kosta.

The $67.7m Gawler East Link Road was opened last year on October 15 and connects the residential developments east of Gawler and the southern Barossa directly to Main North Rd.

The road will service 3500 new dwellings in Gawler East, South and Evanston Park, which are expected to bring an additional 8400 residents into the area.