Non-stop South Rd: Completing Adelaide’s big road build
A huge investment in transport infrastucture is driving economic and social benefits across Adelaide and beyond.
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The hardest part was left to last for the 78km backbone of Adelaide’s modern road network.
But the time has come with the first concrete structures now being poured for the River Torrens to Darlington section that will create a non-stop South Road.
“Starting permanent work just eight months after contracts were signed is a proud moment for the state,” says Department for Infrastructure and Transport chief executive Jon Whelan.
At $15.4 billion, the project – known as the T2D Project – is the most expensive infrastructure investment ever made in South Australia.
“We can’t afford not to do it,” Whelan says. “The current average speeds along this part of South Road are 20km/h – that’s terrible.
“This section has a crash record 11 times worse than the sections of the corridor which have already been completed.
“Our roads are getting more and more congested. Once the tunnels open – no later than 2031 – the parallel roads will benefit because traffic will be attracted to the motorway and its 80km/h speed limit and lower crash rates. So, Marion Road, Goodwood Road, Unley Road and so on.”
Some $850 million will go to off-corridor work, on roads and intersections feeding South Rd.
This will ensure commuters can navigate construction blockages and then enhance east-west connectivity for perpetuity.
The T2D Project is jointly funded 50:50 by the South Australian and Australian governments. Construction will support 5500 jobs a year – with 90 per cent of labour hours from South Australians.
“The T2D Project during construction and in operation puts more than $5 billion back into the state’s economy,” Mr Whelan says.
“Between 2023 and 2050, it will put savings of about $9bn into the state from reduced traffic congestion and other economic benefits.”
The western suburbs’ tree canopy will significantly increase by plantings in many parks and community spaces alongside the motorway.
Choosing tunnels has saved many local heritage sites and established businesses and retains neighbourhood connectivity.
Once complete, public transport routes and timetables will be reviewed with outer suburban residents to benefit from faster express bus services using the non-stop South Rd.
The first permanent structures are diaphragm walls built in the ground to form concrete curtains ahead of excavating the launch box for the massive Tunnel-Boring Machines (TBMs). The three main TBMs are approximately 15m in diameter – equivalent to the height of Adelaide Oval’s goalposts – and around 100m in length.
They are now being manufactured in Germany and China with first delivery later this year. The T2D Alliance is a partnership between the SA Government and a consortium of John Holland, Bouygues Construction, Arcadis, Jacobs and Ventia.
At an industry briefing, Mr Whelan pledged that local businesses would be given every opportunity to compete for work packages.
Local firms will be supported by the Department, the Industry Advocate and organisations such as the Civil Contractors Federation SA. SA firms have already won work, such as a $6m contract to SA-based McMahon Services for a link road in Clovelly Park.
The Alliance has committed to create more than 600 jobs for apprentices and trainees, ensuring 6 per cent of employees are Indigenous and open up opportunities for 220 long-term unemployed. More than 1000 businesses operate in the vicinity. Discussions are being undertaken to minimise impacts during construction.
Similarly, local residents can access a Community Information Centre in Hilton, a weekly update newsletter, drop-in sessions and information on the project’s website.
A Community Reference Group which gave local feedback during design is being replaced by three Community Reference Groups (north, central and south) for the construction stages.
Tram line upgrade on track
Work crews are under the starter’s orders to begin a six-month blitz fixing crucial intersections on the City to Glenelg tram line.
On Saturday, August 2, the whole tram line shuts for final preparations, before resuming as a CBD-only service two days later, as tram overpasses are built to eliminate three level crossings and the South Rd tram overpass is altered to accommodate the River Torrens to Darlington project.
The Tram Grade Separation Projects will significantly improve traffic flow and reduce crash risks for motorists and improve reliability and safety on the popular tram route. Work will occur simultaneously on the three overpasses, and ancillary work elsewhere on the line, with a target to resume services by the return of school in January 2026.
Department for Infrastructure and Transport chief executive Jon Whelan says this will minimise disruption for the public, despite being a stretch on resourcing the projects. “We’re confident,” he says.
“We’ve done a fair bit of prep work with weekend closures, we’re ready to go. We’ve selected a consortium who have the experience, the runs on the board, for doing these jobs.”
Project design is led by Mott MacDonald, Arup and Aurecon, while the prime contractors are McConnell Dowell and CPB.
Tram grade separations at Morphett Rd and at the Marion Rd/Cross Rd/tramline confluence have been budgeted at $600 million.
An additional $270 million will be drawn from the River Torrens to Darlington Project for changes needed for the lowered motorway on South Rd. Funding has been committed equally by the South Australian and Australian governments.
There have been hundreds of crashes on the roads around the level crossings, resulting in fatalities, injuries and property damage as well as delays for motorists. Whelan says despite barriers and warnings, tram drivers frequently encounter pedestrians and drivers taking foolish risks.
“The community will see big benefits to safety,” he says. “And not only that, taking away the angst the tram drivers face coming up to each level crossing will be a wellbeing benefit for our staff.”
During the six-month closure, trams will run between South Tce and the Royal Adelaide Hospital and between the Botanic Gardens and the Entertainment Centre.
Substitute buses will run between Glenelg’s Moseley Square and the South Tce tram stop. Independently of the tram project, the department is purchasing 100 new buses for the metropolitan service – 40 hybrids and 60 all-electric buses.
Fortuitously, many hybrids will be delivered soon, but the department is also hiring or purchasing some 40 buses from interstate to bulk up the thousand-strong metropolitan fleet to cater for peak periods, including extra demand caused by the Glenelg substitute run.
As well as the major works, an opportunity is being seized for maintenance and minor upgrades.
“We’re looking at other works along the corridor, so we don’t have to come back later,” Whelan says.
“Things like tamping under the rails, installing totems which advise of the next service and so on.”
The biggest ancillary project will be at the Goodwood tram bridge over the railway.
A pedestrian and cycling bridge over the railway line announced in 2016 was scrapped last year in response to community opposition, particularly about loss of trees in Forestville Reserve. Instead, the archways under the tramline will be widened and a new shared-use crossing built over Brownhill Creek.
Further upgrades to the station and underpass are planned for 2026, including lighting, mirrors, and CCTVs.
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