Deal close to get South Rd-Northern Connector started

STATE and federal infrastructure ministers have indicated a deal may be close to start the South Rd Northern Connector project, after a dispute over the need for a toll to fund construction.

• Non-stop ride from Gawler to Noarlunga
• South Rd Superway extended in new plans
• 480 jobs a year created during Torrens-to-Torrens project

STATE and federal infrastructure ministers have indicated a deal may be close to start the South Rd Northern Connector project, which would link the Northern Expressway and South Rd Superway, after a long-running dispute over the need for a toll to fund construction.

The Advertiser last month revealed full details of a $9 billion South Rd plan, drawn up by the state and federal governments, which would deliver a traffic light-free ride between Gawler and Old Noarlunga by completing 10 separate upgrades along the existing roadway.

The two governments have already committed $1.5 billion to the Torrens to Torrens and Darlington upgrades, which are due for completion in late 2018. Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said he wants the entire freeway flowing non-stop within a decade.

Federal Assistant Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Jamie Briggs said he and the State Government were in “fruitful discussions” on building the Northern Connector.

If delivered in full, it would run 15.5km from Port Wakefield Rd to the Port River Expressway.

The 10-year plan revealed last month divided the Northern Connector project construction into two parts, costing a total of $820 million when combined.

“There’s obviously several priority projects we could do,” Mr Briggs said.

“We are both conscious ... that there would be significant disruption from the Darlington and Torrens to Torrens projects already, so obviously there’s an attraction for greenfields aspects of the projects.

“We’re looking at ways that we might be able to fund the Northern Connector project.

“We hope to have something to say together … when we come to an arrangement.”

Negotiations over the Northern Connector have previously stalled as the Federal Government called for consideration of a toll, which would force SA Labor to break an election commitment.

The State Government has instead proposed a system of “road network charging”, where trucks could be billed using GPS for road use depending on distance travelled and their weight.

SA Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan said it was critical to manage “the impact on the community” as new South Rd projects are funded.

The Government expects major delays for drivers already as Torrens to Torrens and Darlington enter heavy construction.

“We want to get this corridor upgraded and delivered as quickly as possible,” Mr Mullighan said.

“We just need to work through how best we can deliver these projects.”

The pair yesterday marked the beginning of construction on a South Eastern Freeway interchange near Mt Barker, which is expected to be finished in a year and create 55 construction jobs.

Following a competitive tender, the $27 million project was redesigned to include four ramps

providing access to and from Adelaide and Murray Bridge.