From bullet trains, to rail extension to bypasses: How do we fix this Freeway mess?

Furious commuters and Hills powerbrokers are demanding a fix to ease traffic chaos on the SE Freeway before another catastrophe. Vote in our poll.

Hills powerbrokers and commuters have launched an attack on the State Government over its ongoing failure to reduce congestion on the South Eastern Freeway, with many calling for a bullet train to end traffic chaos.

Community leaders, including a Hills mayor, State politicians and transport experts have backed calls by freeway commuters to prioritise funding and explore the feasibility of a

new super fast rail to the city, which could hit speeds of 160km/h and cut travel time to 22 minutes.

Other suggestions include the construction of a heavy vehicle bypass and realigning the passenger rail to extend to Mount Barker.

It follows a truck breakdown during evening peak hour on Monday that caused traffic chaos around the SE Freeway and nearby major roads – with people stuck for hours.

Adelaide Hills Council Acting CEO Peter Bice said the council supported a new rail service.

“An improved rail link could potentially reduce traffic congestion and delays, reduce noise in suburban areas, reduce bushfire risk, and improve safety at level crossings and on the SE Freeway.”

SA Transport Action Group Chair John Hill said an existing railway line with modern trains, that could include a bullet or fast train should be explored.

“We (also) need to look at ways to stop or reduce the level of trucks using the freeway via a bypass but also look at a railway line to stop the growth of commuters and continuous congestion,” he said.

Mount Barker District Council Mayor Ann Ferguson said a fast train should be among the options explored.

“I think the State Government should lobby the Federal Government really seriously to resolve the issue,” she said.

“They’ve done a feasibility study on a ring route years ago but there’s never been any action and while I know it’s expensive, there are people not able to get to their medical appointments or ambulances not able to get through.

“Do we have to wait for a catastrophe to get action?”

Former senior Transport Department bureaucrat Luigi Rossi said a superfast rail link from Adelaide to Mt Barker would relieve travel woes for motorists, capitalise on tourism and prepare for ongoing population growth.

He said he first submitted the proposal to government officials in 2018, yet the idea of a railway link kept on being dismissed.

Mr Rossi, who has guided some of the state’s biggest infrastructure projects, said his proposal would cost around $1 billion.

Traffic was banked up for kilometres – and for hours – during peak hour on April 19, 2021. Picture: Commuter Ryan Piekarski

“In the 1920s you could get a train to Mount Barker, Gawler and Victor without any issue, so why is it so ridiculous now?,” he said.

“You just have to look at Melbourne and Sydney where they are investing in serious public transport, especially in rail which moves people at a long distance far more efficiently.

“So the question has got to be asked, why aren’t we?”

Kavel MP Dan Cregan has also long been known for advocating the return of train services to Mt Barker.

He said the service would relieve freeway congestion, which he blamed on “years of underinvestment”.

“I’m an advocate for extending a third lane from Crafers to Mt Barker and for ultimately restoring passenger rail services to Mt Barker, acknowledging the massive cost and real engineering challenges that would involve, even in the existing corridor,” he said.

“I wear my tag as a train nut with genuine pride.”

Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie said fixing congestion on the freeway was complex.

“For decades South Australia’s business case for securing billions in Federal funding for major projects has been the fact that this road is a major freight route and it needs to be improved for the sake of heavy vehicles,” she said.

“Due to major policy decisions made by a previous Labor State Government, the freeway is now a major commuter and freight route, and with the population of Mount Barker forecast to increase to more than 56,000 people by 2036, the problem is only going to exacerbate.

“Ultimately we need to remove some of the freight travel on the freeway. This is a steep road and it is a dangerous road and providing a bypass for freight is a safety issue.

“GlobeLink, including an airport, was too ambitious, however, a bypass road for heavy vehicles must be a priority at State and Federal Government levels and incentives for freight operators to use a slightly longer route must be considered.”

Former Mayo MP Jamie Briggs, now PwC Adelaide managing partner, said he did not believe there was a major issue, although conceded he was not commuting to the Hills yesterday.

He said extra infrastructure pressure, unfortunately, was a consequence of rapid property price growth in the Hills with people desperate to enter the market.

“The reality is that (transport) assets largely support the growth that’s occurred and occurring. “We don’t have a serious traffic issue but for on a few very frustrating days when these incidents occur,” he said.

“Traffic growth is also a sign of economic success, so in some ways should be welcomed.”

Transport Minister Corey Wingard he had directed the department to look at the options available for responding to incidents like this whilst the long-awaited resurfacing works are occuring.

“As a result, a tow-truck will be on standby for both light and heavy vehicles until the project is complete.”

Originally published as From bullet trains, to rail extension to bypasses: How do we fix this Freeway mess?