South Rd traffic exit and entry plan for Crows’ Thebarton Oval headquarters

The Adelaide Crows are welcoming a state government bid to ease traffic concerns near their proposed $80m new headquarters, following community outcry.

Direct entry and exit access from an upgraded South Rd will be built to the Adelaide Crows’ proposed new Thebarton Oval headquarters in bid to ease traffic and parking concerns.

Crows chairman John Olsen has welcomed the state government commitment, understood to have been spearheaded by Infrastructure and Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis, whose West Torrens electorate includes Thebarton Oval.

Traffic and open space were among key concerns about the Crows’ $80m proposal aired at an October 5 meeting of hundreds of West Torrens Council residents.

Left turns in and out of the precinct would be created on the western side of South Rd, or the northward bound lanes, immediately south of Ashwin Parade, Torrensville – aimed at minimising traffic there.

The government also would work with the council and Crows to provide extra off-street carparking, improve access and limit impact on residents along East and Meyer streets, Torrensville – immediately west and south of the oval precinct.

An artist impression of an aerial view, looking southeast, of the Adelaide Crows’ proposed new base at Thebarton Oval. Credit: City Collective

The state commitments, contingent on council approval of the Crows’ proposal, would be part of the 10.5km North-South road corridor to be forged along South Rd’s current route between the River Torrens and Darlington at a cost of up to $15bn.

Mr Olsen said the Crows had been discussing traffic management with the state government since on August 24 announcing Thebarton as the preferred site for new headquarters.

“This commitment from the government to facilitate a direct entry and exit from South Rd will have a significant and positive impact on traffic flow,” Mr Olsen said

“It also addresses some of the recent feedback from local residents during the public consultation currently underway.

“At the appropriate time, we will work closely with the council’s traffic engineers on other initiatives and our planning already takes into account increased publicly accessible parking on the site.”

The final cost, tunnel alignment and timeline of the North South corridor route is yet to be determined, following a review commissioned by the incoming Labor government after the March 19 state election.

An artist impression of the aerial view of the Adelaide Crows’ new base at Thebarton Oval, looking to the northwest. Credit: City Collective

A state government spokesman said the Crows had asked for assistance with traffic access issues.

“There are community concerns about current access points and potential traffic congestion should the project receive council approval to proceed,” he said.

Mr Koutsantonis on August 24 said the state government would try to create a different entrance into the Thebarton Oval precinct from South Rd.

“That’s something we’re very keen to look at, because we’re already there at South Rd doing that work – it would make sense to make sure we can facilitate that,” he said.