Salisbury Council to call for financial support for $100m upgrade to busy northern roads

A northern council is appealing for $100m in funding to fix two major roads, one which has been described as a flooded “goat track” by its deputy mayor.

Salisbury Council says Kings Road is not up to scratch. Picture: Cr Chad Buchanan.

It could cost nearly $100m to fix two major roads in Salisbury which are “nearing capacity”, the local council says.

Analysis commissioned by the City of Salisbury council revealed it could cost up to $96m to fix two problem stretches of the State Government thoroughfares: 2.3km along Waterloo Corner Rd, from Bolivar to Heaslip roads, and the 3.2km along Kings Rd from Salisbury Highway to the Northern Connector.

Traffic volumes have been increasing and those individual stretches have recorded 95 and 187 crashes respectively over a five-year period from the start of 2015.

“The opening of the Northern Connector has focused east west traffic on to both Waterloo Corner and Kings Rd, with both roads now nearing capacity,” a new council report found.

“There are also increasing concerns about community connectivity and safety for pedestrians and cyclists along both roads.

“These two road sections are at or nearing capacity for a two way, two lane road with limited auxiliary right turn lanes.

“Council is seeking to develop concept plans for increasing the capacity of both road sections.”

The council says both Waterloo Corner and Kings roads – highlighted in green – are "nearing capacity". Picture: Salisbury Council.

Deputy Mayor Chad Buchanan said Kings Rd was constantly flooded and resembled a “goat track”.

“Waterloo Corner is not much better, if not worse in some sections,” Cr Buchanan said.

“Both of these roads are some of the busiest east-west connector roads in the north and are also part of the Northern Connector.”

Last week, elected members endorsed a $52m option for Kings Rd and will give further consideration for the full duplication of Waterloo Corner Rd.

It would provide four through lanes on Kings Rd – two in each direction – with a centre median strip, bicycle lanes and would cater for up to 50,000 vehicles a day.

The council will submit its new design report to the transport department as part of its new North West Road Network strategy.

The council’s chief executive officer will also write to Infrastructure Australia and Infrastructure SA seeking funding support.

A department spokesman said it had held initial discussions with the council and was anticipating the designs and costings.

“Any potential upgrades will be considered with respect to other statewide priorities,” the spokesman said.