PM reveals final piece in Adelaide’s South Road puzzle

The PM has made a flying visit to SA’s most marginal federal seat where he announced a cash pledge of $2.26b to finalise the North-South motorway. See the video, artist’s impressions.

The final multi-billion dollar piece of the funding puzzle for the state’s biggest infrastructure project is now complete, the Prime Minister has revealed in Adelaide.

In a surprise pre-election trip to the SA’s only marginal federal seat, Scott Morrison unveiled a $2.26bn boost for the North-South Corridor.

The Prime Minister and Premier Steven Marshall visited the electorate of Boothby and announced the money would help finish the final stretch of the expansive Torrens to Darlington venture.

The “T2D” project spans 10.5km of South Rd through the west and southern suburbs.

Stage one, which is due to start next year at a total cost of $5.422bn, involves building 4km-long tunnels connecting Darlington to Anzac Hwy.

The second, $4.48bn stage, of which the latest Commonwealth funding is earmarked for, will construct an Airport link and more than 2km of tunnels from Torrensville from 2026.

Both tunnels will be joined by a lowered, twin three-lane motorway, allowing non-stop travel from Gawler in Adelaide’s outer north to Old Noarlunga in the far south. With designs unchanged, no more homes or businesses will be compulsory acquired from a current 393 properties.

Mr Morrison said the $9.9bn, 78km non-stop motorway was now fully-costed, and not an election promise, which is due to be finished within a decade.

Speaking ahead of his SA visit, Mr Morrison said the cash splash will “help ensure the delivery of the final piece of this complex project”.

“Our plan for a strong economy in South Australia is all about investing in life-changing infrastructure on our roads, and in our important defence industry projects, creating thousands of jobs in Adelaide,” he said.

“The investment in this project alone is expected to support around 4,900 jobs and slash travel times by up to 20 minutes … and help ensure South Australians get home to family and friends safely.”

Mr Marshall said the funding had been “locked in”.

“This once-in-a-generation project is going to create a record number of jobs for South Australians and underpin the construction industry for the next ten years,” he said.

Finance Minister, SA Senator Simon Birmingham, said tunnels would help motorists bypass 21 sets of traffic lights.

“The vision of linking southern and northern Adelaide with a non-stop motorway will finally be fully funded, fully delivered and is set to be a driver’s paradise,” he said.

Mr Morrison needs to win Boothby, the country’s third most marginal seat, for another term. Retiring Liberal MP Nicolle Flint held at the last election by just 1.4 per cent.

Originally published as PM reveals final piece in Adelaide’s South Road puzzle