Repair works on the South Eastern Freeway causing frustrating delays and confusion for commuters

Motorists using the SE Freeway say a lack of speed warnings as road safety works begin – and no evidence of any actual work taking place – is causing confusion and frustration.

New asphalt will be laid on the road between the Tollgate and Crafers. File picture

Vital repair works on the South Eastern Freeway, which were meant to start on the weekend, have begun this morning, causing frustrating delays for commuters.

Speed limits were cut to 40km/h but later moved back to 60, and with traffic reduced to two lanes through the tunnels on the downtrack.

Traffic on the uptrack is still operating in all lanes, but at a speed restriction.

A short 40km/h roadwork sign was visible about 9.30am on the downtrack at Stirling, before the speed limit went back to 90km/h.

Commuters stuck in the morning rush hour complained there were a lack of speed warnings for the areas where motorists should slow down.

They were also miffed that despite the roadworks being carried out at night the speed restrictions were still in place during the day.

It comes after a koala caused a six-car pileup on Monday morning, before taking over its rescuer’s car.

Crafers West local Nadia Tugwell, who stopped to pick the koala up, said the crash was caused by drivers trying to avoid the koala as it scampered over the freeway.

In its first makeover in more than two decades, the road between the Toll Gate and Crafers is being replaced with new asphalt, improving the safety for 54,000 vehicles that drive on the road every day.

The first stage of the $35m project was scheduled to begin on Sunday, but was delayed to Tuesday.

It involves resurfacing the city-bound lanes of the freeway between the Heysen Tunnels and Mount Barker road at Leawood Gardens.

The works are being done in stages to ensure the freeway remains open to traffic at all times, but restrictions will be in place until July.

Transport Minister Corey Wingard said existing pavement will be replaced with new asphalt, providing “long-term safety” for road users.

“These works are the first major asphalting works to be undertaken on this section of the freeway for more than 20 years,” he said.

“Over the next few years you will see a lot of road work signs across the state and while road works can be a hassle, they’re supporting more South Australian jobs and making our roads safer and I thank all South Australians for their patience.”

Mr Wingard said the project is expected to support around 165 jobs.

The federal government committed 80 per cent of the $35m towards the project, which deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said was part of a stimulus package aimed at supporting local jobs “during a time of great global uncertainty”.

“The Australian Government continues to roll out these types of major projects across the nation under our record $110 billion infrastructure investment plan,” he said.