Blackwood roundabout $3.5 million realignment fails to solve traffic woes, locals say
It became the state’s worst intersection after the Britannia roundabout fix — but even after a lengthy and expensive $3.5 million upgrade locals say things are as bad as ever.
- Roundabout markings confuse motorists
- Memorial Soldier back at the roundabout
- Final design for Blackwood Roundabout
It was long labelled the state’s worst roundabout but even after a $3.5 million realignment locals say very little has improved at the chaotic Blackwood intersection.
Roger Hancock, who has lived in the Adelaide Hills for almost 50 years, said traffic flow had barely improved since the upgrade, completed in April this year.
And he should know, having spent more than 40 years with the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, including as a former road safety auditor.
“I’m not the only one thinking the benefit hasn’t justified the significant cost with this project,” Mr Hancock, of Belair, said.
“There’s been a marginal improvement in traffic flow at times but during the morning peak and particularly the evening peak it’s still bumper to bumper.”
He said some motorists were having difficulty negotiating the five-way roundabout which often created a dangerous situation.
“I suspect motorists are panicking and when they get a break, they plant the foot to rush on to the roundabout and are losing control,” Mr Hancock said.
“A number of errant vehicles have struck the wrought-iron fence outside of Bracegirdles and there were two sections of the retaining wall in front of the Post Office that were damaged.
“There is just not enough warning of vehicles entering the roundabout from Shepherd’s Hill Rd.”
Mr Hancock said installing “stand/stop signals” — which controls the flow of traffic at peak times and already exists at the nearby Old Belair and Blythewood road roundabout — would be a cheap and simple improvement.
“They’ve been there for years and work very well,” he said.
“I’m not saying they would be the full answer but they would alleviate some of the current issues.
“The infrastructure in the area hasn’t kept up with the pace of (housing) developments around here and the Blackwood roundabout is the focal point of all that. This problem can only get worse.”
The notorious roundabout was named the state’s worst before the Weatherill government announced the $3.5 million upgrade in July 2017.
It was the result of 27 years of campaigning from residents for the upgrade to reduce crashes and traffic congestion.
Community Facebook pages have been abuzz with ongoing problems with the roundabout, including that delays are as bad as ever and residents will be no better off in the event of a mass bushfire evacuation.
Mitcham councillor Karen Hockley said community feedback suggested there had been more accidents on the roundabout since the upgrade.
“People feel motorists are entering the roundabout at higher speed and that could be the cause of more impacts,” Cr Hockley said.
She said a lack of clarity with lane markings was an ongoing complaint.
Fellow Mitcham councillor and Hills resident Lindy Taeuber said she was aware of the “chatter” on social media about the roundabout but hadn’t had any issues herself.
‘I’ve done every manoeuvre (around the roundabout) and turning left on to Main Rd from Shepherds Hill Rd is far better and safer,” she said.
“My understanding is DPTI are going to do some counts now things have settled to see how the flow is going.”
DPTI has been contacted for comment.