Goodwood, Springbank and Daws Rd intersection opens but motorists still stuck in traffic

A notorious Adelaide intersection has reopened this morning after major works, but commuters are still reporting heavy delays. The Transport Minister has reminded motorists traffic will not run smoothly until the end of the year.

Motorists are reporting major delays this morning at the new four-way intersection of Goodwood, Springbank and Daws roads, which opened for to traffic for the first time on Friday.

The notorious dog-leg which was formerly responsible for traffic flow at the intersection has been removed, and the new road was today open to motorists without lights, with traffic management directing flow.

The traffic network of South Australia reported traffic congestion on Fiveash Drive – the road leading up to Goodwood Road, between Painter Street and Bootby Street about 8.30am Friday.

The $61.4m project converted two “T” intersections at Daw Park, just north of the Centennial Park cemetery.

On Thursday, Transport Minister Corey Wingard said it was important to remember the works are not yet finished.

“There will still be lane closures and speed restrictions in place while the project is completed so I urge everyone travelling through the area to take care, look out for workers and adhere to any traffic management that is on site,” Mr Wingard said.

Springbank Rd and Daws Rd has become a key east-west connection through the southern suburbs. The road will flow freely without restrictions on the project’s completion at the end of this year, weather permitting.

A concept plan for the four-way intersection released last year – the intersection will open for real on Friday.

“The removal of this notorious dog-leg will benefit approximately 60,000 motorists who travel through this busy intersection every day,” he said.

“For years this dog-leg has been a serious interruption to traffic flow in the southern suburbs and it has also been dangerous, with 35 crashes over a five-year period, 14 of which resulted in injuries.

“There will still be lane closures and speed restrictions in place while the project is completed so I urge everyone travelling through the area to take care, look out for workers and adhere to any traffic management that is on site.”

Works will continue until the end of the year, including the installation of new kerbing, traffic signal infrastructure, footpaths and street lighting.

Peter Van The Party Man was demolished to make way for the intersection. Picture: Shane Collins

The project proved controversial because of the necessity to reclaim the site of a popular family business which operated for 45 years – Peter Van the Party Man party hire shop.

The intersection upgrade created 48 jobs, and was jointly funded 50/50 by the Federal Government.

Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher MP said it was part of $4b funding to bust congestion in urban areas nationwide.

“The Morrison Government is funding these projects nationwide to reduce travel times and vehicle operating costs, deliver a more reliable road network for commuters and freight, and address local bottlenecks,” he said.

Member for Boothby Nicolle Flint said the two intersections had created a bottleneck for decades.

“We are busting congestion for everyone driving through this intersection whether they are getting to work, getting the kids to school, driving to the shops or to Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders Uni,’’ she said.

Member for Elder, Carolyn Power, said new landscaping would enhance the local area with more greenery.