Finally, $3.5 million set aside to fix Blackwood roundabout
THE Adelaide roundabout that’s second only to the Britannia in terms of notoriety is finally to be upgraded under a $3.5 million plan to reduce crashes and traffic congestion.
THE notorious Blackwood roundabout will be upgraded under a $3.5 million plan to reduce crashes and traffic congestion.
The State Government this morning announced it would fund the project, following 27 years of campaigning by residents.
Work will include making the roundabout bigger and moving it several metres southeast.
There will be two new dedicated left turn lanes – one from Shepherds Hill Rd to Main Rd and another from Main Rd onto Coromandel Pde.
Drivers will no longer be able to enter the roundabout from Station Rd, although vehicles will still exit it on to Station Rd.
A pedestrian island will be installed at the southern side of Main Rd to make it safer to cross.
The changes will “make it more like a standard four-leg roundabout” to reduce the risk of accidents and bottlenecks, according to a State Government report.
Moving the roundabout will require relocating the Blackwood War Memorial monument on Main Rd closer to the Blackwood Uniting Church.
The Blackwood Action Group, Davenport Liberal MP Sam Duluk, Mitcham Council and Waite independent MP Martin Hamilton-Smith have long lobbied to fix the roundabout.
Between 2011-2015 there has been 35 crashes at the roundabout.
Mr Hamilton-Smith said the project would end traffic woes at the roundabout, which is used by 30,000 motorists a day.
“Anyone who has ventured through this junction will know it can be difficult to navigate,
particularly in busy peak times, with five roads feeding into the roundabout,” he said.
“It has been a source of frustration for motorists over decades, so it is a great pleasure to have successfully presented the case to secure this $3.5 million upgrade.”
A recent RAA survey showed the Blackwood roundabout was the second worst intersection in the state.
More detailed plans will be developed, following further community consultation.
Work is expected to start later this year, Mr Hamilton-Smith said.
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