Transport Department to soon start $2 million study into traffic congestion on Marion Rd between Anzac Highway and Cross Rd

A YEAR after it was promised by the Prime Minister, work is finally about to start on a study to fix traffic in one of Adelaide’s worst spots for congestion.

Traffic at the corner of Marion Rd and Anzac Highway, Plympton. Source: File

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WORK will soon start on a plan to fix traffic congestion near the tramline on Marion Rd, a year after it was promised by the Prime Minister.

Malcolm Turnbull announced $2 million for the study during a visit to Glenelg in June last year – five days ahead of the federal election.

The state’s Transport Department will carry out the work, focusing on the area between Marion and Cross roads.

A department spokesman said it was “liaising with the Commonwealth to finalise the scope of the planning works”.

He said the work would start some time between July and September and take about six months.

Traffic on Marion Rd in South Plympton. Picture: Tait Schmaal

As previously reported, one of the options on the table is turning part of Marion Rd into an underpass that would stretch from before the tramline to after Cross Rd.

The study will also consider putting Marion Rd under the tramline, Cross Rd, and Anzac Highway, or a tram overpass above Marion and Cross roads.

Boothby Liberal MP Nicolle Flint said the federal Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development was waiting for the SA Transport Department to provide it with a final project proposal report for the study before it could be funded.

The level crossings at Marion and Cross roads were identified as among the 20 highest priority spots to be upgraded with overpasses or underpasses in the State Government’s Railway Crossing Safety Strategy, which was released last month.

What do you think should be done to fix traffic problems in the area? Leave your comment below.