The hi-tech plan to fix Adelaide’s traffic jams, as 15 new developments are set to create delays

MANY roads across the CBD will be partially or fully closed in the coming months as construction starts on 15 new buildings — but the council has a plan.

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HINDLEY St will remain a two-way street with the State Government scrapping a plan put forward last year by the former government to make the notorious Adelaide nightspot one way, running east.

But drivers’ frustration could be felt widely across the city, as many other roads are partially or fully closed in coming months to accommodate the city’s growing appetite for development.

The city council though is hoping its recent hi-tech approach — which has the backing of the RAA — can ensure the brakes aren’t put on city traffic.

In September last year then Labor Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan announced the plan to allow only eastbound traffic between Morphett St and King William St along Hindley St.

The plan was part of a bid to boost outdoor dining and reduce anti-social behaviour, especially at night, featuring in a proposed major Hindley St upgrade.

But new Transport Minister Stephan Knoll said the Liberal Government would not pursue the proposal.

“It’s my understanding that this was just a thought bubble by the previous Labor Government and no work had been undertaken to progress this idea,” he said.

“I look forward to working with key stakeholders, including those in the West End, about ways in which we can revitalise the CBD and improve traffic congestion.”

But city traffic could get worse before it gets better with 15 planned developments in the city identified as potentially having impacts on traffic flow.

In response to questions from The Advertiser it has been established that there are 15 development sites in the city using hoarding that is extending into the roadway.

However only thee of these sites — the Adelaidean in Frome St, student apartments in Synagogue Place and apartments in Hurtle Sq — have required either partial or full road/lane closures. But there are 15 more on the horizon, which could affect key roads such as North Tce, Frome St, King William St and Light Sq, with the extent of their impacts on city traffic not known for certain until they begin.

The council is getting on the front foot on the issue of traffic congestion — which already looms as an election issue with Lord Mayor aspirant Mark Hamilton making reducing CBD congestion the campaign centrepiece of his second tilt for city hall.

The man whom he hopes to topple, Mayor Martin Haese, said the council had been seeking to improve its traffic management systems for the past 12 months, such as modifying and reviewing its traffic signal co-ordination which improved traffic times through the CBD by an average of 30 seconds.

The tram extension on North Tce and King William St caused lengthy traffic delays.

The next part of this will ramp up over the next couple of months with CCTV cameras to be installed at seven priority intersections by June 30.

Along with the cameras — set for King William St, Currie St, Grenfell St, North Tce, Pulteney St, Morphett St, Light Sq, West Tce, Port Rd, Anzac Highway, South Tce, Goodwood Rd, the Royal Adelaide Hospital and George St — the council will roll out 10 bluetooth sensors costing $25,000 to monitor traffic flow in real-time and 2800 in-ground parking sensors that will help motorists find parking spaces.

“With growth comes challenges,” Cr Haese said.

“What this will do is help us monitor and manage traffic flows in real time which is really important.

“All the cities in the world that we have monitored in terms of best traffic management use these sort of things.

“We will be able to adjust traffic lights in real time if there is a bank-up and with the developments ... hopefully we can move the flow along. “We want to make the city the most welcoming place possible and this is a big part of it.”

Traffic waits on Franklin St last year. Picture: AAP / Brenton Edwards

The technology will also gather information ahead of a large-scale review of citywide traffic flows.

Cr Alex Antic, who last year moved a motion for the council to look at ways to improve traffic flow in the city, said it was important to get on top of increasing congestion issues in Adelaide.

“It’s an ongoing battle to make sure it’s flowing,” he said.

“We need to get people in the city but make sure that the traffic if flowing.”

RAA Senior Manager Road Safety Charles Mountain said the impending measures by the council would make a difference.

“They are good measures the council are looking at,” he said.

“Especially with the amount of developments that could close lanes or affect them coming up, that’s one of the challenges to allow development to take place.”