RAA recommends using speeding fine revenue to fund safety upgrades along South Eastern Freeway
Revenue raised from speed cameras along the South Eastern Freeway would be used to improve safety infrastructure along the dangerous thoroughfare, under a bold new plan.
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Lucrative speed cameras on one of Adelaide’s most dangerous stretches of road would fund safety upgrades under a bold plan by the RAA.
Heavy traffic would also be diverted away from the dangerous stretch of the South Eastern Freeway to near Truro.
SA’s largest motoring organisation’s investigation into the state’s busiest freeway has made recommendations to “reduce road trauma, ease traffic congestion and improve freight efficiency”.
The report comes after the State Government in January ditched its pre-election promise, called GlobeLink, that would have diverted significant amounts of heavy traffic away from the Adelaide Hills and suburban streets.
RAA’s senior manager of safety and infrastructure Charles Mountain said the South Eastern Freeway was not only vital to the Adelaide Hills region, but also the whole state due to its significance to both freight and tourism.
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“RAA has outlined a series of recommendations aimed at improving safety on the South Eastern Freeway and improving connectivity with the future North-South Corridor,’’ Mr Mountain said.
“If no alternative route is developed by the time the North-South Corridor is complete, it’s likely that a substantial volume of freight traffic … will shift from Portrush Rd to Cross Rd, to benefit from the non-stop motorway.
“In that case, upgrades on Cross Rd will also be required, including (at) Fullarton and Goodwood roads and grade separation at the level crossing at Kings Park.”
The report also advised:
BUILDING a new safety ramp closer to the tollgate with a dragnet system to stop runaway vehicles.
ERECT overhead signs to display a vehicle’s real-time speed for each downhill lane on the approach to the tollgate.
UPGRADE the route between Murray Bridge and Truro to encourage heavy vehicles to skirt the freeway.
PLAN to build a third lane between Stirling and Verdun.
Mr Mountain said the report also found in the past five years that $30 million in fines was generated by the freeway’s two fixed speed cameras.
“This money could contribute to the building of a third safety ramp, which could be located closer to the Portrush Rd intersection, around 250m west of the existing second and last ramp,’’ Mr Mountain said.
The report said there were three fatalities and 48 serious injuries on the 7.5km section of freeway between Crafers and Portrush Rd from 2014-18.
The Government will respond to the report today.