Light at the end of the tunnel for frustrated road/rail users

We may be at peak road disruption now, with upgrades causing extensive delays – but most are on track to be finished within a few months. See the list of projects.

SA commuters have hit “peak” disruption on roads and public transport but authorities expect delays to ease within three months following a “blitz” which will complete half the works.

Infrastructure Minister Corey Wingard has revealed there are currently 127 active transport work sites spanning 90 projects, but today assured frustrated commuters workers would break the back of the projects in the “next few months”.

The projects are part of a national $110bn infrastructure pipeline, which in SA involves 1,480 kilometres of road and rail upgrades.

Underway in SA are $1.5bn worth of transport projects, and another $1bn are expected to commence in South Australia in the second half of this year.

Mr Wingard said traffic experts had advised that the 127 work sites would continue to “cause unavoidable short-term disruption like traffic delays and temporary rail closures in order to achieve the long-term gain”.

“But the benefits will start being felt very soon, with around half of the 90 projects expected to be completed or opened to traffic in the next few months, weather permitting,” he said.

“We know this work is causing disruptions for many road and rail users, but we will soon start enjoying the benefits, and the end result will be world-class infrastructure that will benefit generations of South Australians to come.

“The 90 road and rail projects currently underway are in addition to routine road and rail

maintenance works.

“We are continuing to address the $750 million backlog of road maintenance requirements, which means more jobs and smoother and safer roads across South Australia.”

The Darlington Interchange project.

Major projects that would continue to hinder traffic included the soon to be completed Portrush and Magill Road Intersection Upgrade and the Ovingham Level Crossing Removal.

The Main North, Kings and McIntyre Roads Intersection Upgrade, will be completed in October 2021.

Also the $560 million Gawler Rail Electrification Project is on track to be completed in late 2021, easing road traffic.

Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Michael McCormack said in SA alone the jobs underway were creating 3000 jobs.

“Some of the major projects include Torrens to Darlington, Mitcham Hills Road Corridor Upgrade, Main South Road Duplication, Victor Harbor Road Duplication Project, Cross Road and Fullarton Road intersection Upgrade and Glen Osmond Road and Fullarton Road Intersection Upgrade,” he said.

“In addition, approximately $250 million worth of road upgrades and resurfacing is expected to start in the next six months, improving more than 430 kilometres of roads across South Australia and supporting more than 400 jobs.”

Upgrades will include:

– Overtaking lanes on the Riddoch Highway, Horrocks Highway, Long Valley Road and Victor Harbor Road.

– Resurfacing on the Salisbury Highway, Dukes Highway, Yorke Highway, and Shepherd Hill Road.

– Shoulder sealing on the Barrier Highway, Eyre Highway and Petersburg Road.

SA’s total infrastructure forward planning is $16.7B.

Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher said $85m enabling works for the Torrens to Darlington project signalled an ongoing commitment to one of the state’s major projects.

“By getting these works done now, we can ensure the project stays on track for major construction to commence on the southern tunnel as planned in 2023,” he said.