Northern Adelaide transport study launches to improve safety, travel time, congestion

Congestion, traffic delays and road safety fears across Adelaide’s north are all under the microscope for a major traffic study – and the state government needs your complaints.

The state governments new road study wants to hear your complaints. Picture: NCA NewsWire - Kelly Barnes

A series of major roads across huge sections of Adelaide’s north are up for improvements to tackle concerns such as road safety, congestion and travel times.

The state government is undertaking the Northern Adelaide Transport Study that includes the inner and outer northern suburbs, from Prospect to Roseworthy and Buckland Park to One Tree Hill.

The study is designed to build on previous engagements within the areas that addressed east/west movement as a particular concern at the local level.

Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the work was being done now to “plan for future growth.”

“Speaking to commuters in growing areas of northern Adelaide about their transport needs is a vital first step to ensuring their services and infrastructure keep pace with growth and are sensibly planned and budgeted for,” Mr Koutsantonis said. “Nothing is off the table.

Tom Koutsantonis, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, said hearing from residents was the most important part of the process. Picture: NCA NewsWire – Morgan Sette

“The feedback gathered from this stage of the survey will inform the broader study and help us assess the needs and expectations of those who know this region best – its residents.”

The Department of Infrastructure and Transport study will consider the transport network in relation to its liveability and its ability to support population and economic growth.

The northern regions of Adelaide have the highest projected population in South Australia from 2021-2041, with 89,663 additional people projected in the outer north and 50,130 additional people in the inner north.

Projections also highlighted an increasing population over the age of 60 in the region, from 19 per cent in 2011 to 21.8 per cent in 2021, which the existing network may need to accommodate.

The area the study takes in across the north.

Adelaide’s north also has a slightly higher than average car ownership per household rate on 93 per cent compared with 92.4 per cent, with a higher proportion of people who travel to work in a car over the use of public transport.

The northern region is home to major logistic hubs, defence precincts and employment hubs in areas such as Mawson Lakes and Edinburgh.

The study is expected to identify improvement options that build on existing projects and studies underway, including intersections such as John Rice Av and Haydown Rd, Yorktown Rd and Adams Rd, Wynn Vale Dr and Bridge Rd and Heaslip Rd and Curtis Rd intersection upgrade.

These projects and studies will be consolidated and the Northern Adelaide Transport study will inform the state government’s Greater Adelaide Regional Plan which is currently under development.

The state government’s measures to combat the housing crisis by fast-tracking the release of residential land in northern Adelaide could have huge implications on growth in the region and the transport network, according to the department’s website.

The website said community and stakeholder engagement is “important for the successful delivery of this study” and as part of the process, consultations are currently open for the public to have their say.

Those who wish to take part in the survey are encouraged to share their insights by Sunday, March 3 via an online survey or face-to-face at one of the local listening posts.

Originally published as Northern Adelaide transport study launches to improve safety, travel time, congestion