Norwood Parade will finally see a new pedestrian crossing after a three year saga
You have to break eggs to make an omelette but it’s taken a lot more time and effort to agree to install a scramble crossing on one of Adelaide’s premier shopping streets.
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Ratepayers will be hoping it has all been worth the wait when, after a three-year saga, Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council finally installs a scramble crossing on The Parade.
Stalled talks with two state governments delayed the pedestrian crossing at the intersection of George Street and The Parade, which has now been given the go-ahead.
The design will be based on similar crossings at the intersections of Rundle and Pulteney streets and King William and Pirie streets that allow pedestrians to cross in every direction, including diagonally, at the same time.
NP&SP Mayor Robert Bria said the crossing, to be installed in early 2020, would “increase safety and access for pedestrians” as well as “amplify the street’s cosmopolitan feel”.
“Drivers will no longer need to wait for pedestrians to cross before making turns, improving traffic flow,” Mr Bria said.
“The crossing is part of The Parade masterplan (costing $8 million), which aims to improve access and enhance visitors’ experience along the popular main street.”
Premier Steven Marshall, the Member for Dunstan that includes Norwood, has been advocating for the crossing at the “notorious” intersection since before the last state election in March 2018.
During the election campaign, he unveiled plans to spend $30,000 on the crossing, if the Liberals were elected to government.
But disagreement with the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) delayed the project, with the department concerned the crossing would “increase delays for all road users”.
“These expected delays and queuing on The Parade are unacceptable …,” the department said in a letter to council chief executive Mario Barone.
DPTI acknowledged the scramble crossing would improve safety for pedestrians.
To assist help traffic flows, right-hand turns will be prohibited from The Parade onto George St during between 7.30am and 9am for westbound traffic, and 4pm and 6pm for eastbound traffic.
The council budgeted $115,000 in 2019/20 for design plans and to construct the crossing.
More than 30,000 cars travel on The Parade every day.
Around two crashes a year have been recorded at the intersection in the past decade.