Construction workers propose radical flyover option to finish North-South corridor
The next step of the North-South corridor is officially under way but fierce debate has erupted over how to build the final stretch — should developers go above ground? Or under it?
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An elevated roadway should be constructed over South Rd to avoid tunnels and the decade it will take to build them, the Civil Construction Federation says.
As the State Government prepares to release its preferred option to finish the final stages of the North-South Corridor, the federation’s SA boss Phil Sutherland said it should turn its attention to a flyover strategy as used on northern parts of the project.
On Thursday, the first sod was turned for the Regency Rd to Pym St section of the project.
Momentum is building for tunnels to be used for the final two stages, stretching a combined 10.5km, which would complete the state’s most expensive road infrastructure project.
This week, The Advertiser revealed the bid to deliver a non-stop freeway was set to take up to a decade, as the State Government sought to spread out the huge cost of a multibillion-dollar build.
The project is expected to cost more than $6 billion but would cost more if tunnels are used.
A petition has been tabled in State Parliament, signed by more than 1800 people, mainly from Adelaide’s western suburbs, calling for a combination of two tunnels, or a single tunnel to be used to complete the project.
The push has been driven by a desire to save homes, businesses and a number of heritage-listed properties, including the Thebarton Theatre, from a wrecking ball.
Mr Sutherland told The Advertiser there was a way to alleviate those concerns, and save time and money, by using an elevated roadway sitting above the final uncompleted section of the project should be considered.
“This approach would significantly reduce the cost of other design options under consideration, including tunnels, avoid the need for contentious property acquisitions, and deliver certainty to businesses along the route frantic about their future livelihoods,” Mr Sutherland said.
“Elevating the final link of the freeway would easily connect the freeway’s current finish point at the River Torrens and run south to the soon to be completed Darlington section.
“This would also allow the existing street level South Rd carriageway to be used as a service road to existing business and suburbs.”
Premier Steven Marshall and Infrastructure Minister Stephan Knoll on Thursday turned the first sod on Regency Rd to Pym St (R2P) section one of the North-South Corridor.
Mr Knoll said the North-South Corridor remained the Government’s No. 1 infrastructure priority
“The R2P project is the next piece of this 78km puzzle,” Mr Knoll said.
“Once this project is complete in 2022, motorists will not have to stop at a single traffic light between the River Torrens and Gawler as they head north into our beautiful regions.”