Pressure builds for fix for problem crossing at Oaklands Park

THOUSANDS of motorists have signed a petition calling for solution to a daily bottleneck of traffic at a major intersection in Adelaide’s west — where cars build up from as early as 6am.

Oaklands Crossing and Noarlunga train line

PRESSURE is mounting on the state and federal governments to do something about the Oaklands Crossing bottleneck as thousands of people join campaigns calling for action.

More than 2000 people have responded to an online survey about the crossing, set up by Marion Council, in the past two weeks.

About 2000 have also signed a petition and survey by Liberal Mitchell MP Corey Wingard, designed to create a community action group to campaign for a crossing solution.

Marion Mayor Kris Hanna said his council’s survey drew an “extraordinary” 1500 responses its first four days.

He said the clear solution was to build a “rail over road” overpass.

A 2012 State Government feasibility study found an overpass on Morphett Rd would cost up to $110 million.

The upcoming federal election was “partly the reason for the timing” of the campaign and Mr Hanna hoped it would also be a key issue in the 2018 state election campaign.

Marion resident Geoff Wells said he had given up using the crossing anywhere near peak hour or lunchtime.

“Once it gets to quarter past two it’s just history (at the crossing),” Mr Wells said.

It once took him more than 12 minutes to get through the crossing at school pick-up time.

Cars regularly “floored it” to get through amber lights, he said.

Sturt resident John Edyvean said there was no good time of day to use the crossing.

“Peak hour is six or seven in the morning to 10 o’clock at night,” he said.

Mr Wingard said the crossing congestion was more than just a local issue, because the intersection was a link to Westfield Marion and the South Australian Aquatic and Leisure Centre.

“We get people coming from the north to use the Aquatic Centre,” he said.

Both the state and federal governments have called on the other to do something about the crossing.

State Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan said the project had been listed as a medium-term priority by his government.

“A funding commitment by the Federal Government could see the project delivered sooner,” Mr Mullighan said.

Federal Transport Minister Darren Chester said the matter could be considered in future budgets, “with the necessary support of the South Australian Government”.

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