Premier Peter Malinauskas flags new work starting on tunnel boring launch pad for $15.4bn non-stop South Road project

Work is starting on a major new phase of the South Road project but it may slow traffic in the short-term. Find out why.

Work on a major new section of the $15.4bn non-stop South Road project is starting as construction ramps up to save harried commuters up to 40 minutes travel time in peak hour.

A new 1300m-long southern precinct site in Clovelly Park – between Tonsley Boulevard and Norrie Ave – will eventually house giant new boring machines to build its southern tunnels.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said residents living in the Tonsley and Clovelly Park suburbs would now see work starting on the latest stage of the River Torrens to Darlington (T2D) project.

“Of course with a project of this size and complexity there will be some disruption, but we want to get things done,” Mr Malinauskas said.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said the project was the largest and most complex infrastructure in South Australian history. Picture: RoyVPhotography

Work on a major new section of the $15.4bn non-stop South Road project is starting as construction ramps up. Picture: RoyVPhotography

He assured that consultation with residents around construction work and compulsory acquisition of property lining the sites was undertaken.

“The purpose-built site is where the tunnel boring machines will launch to construct the 4.5km southern tunnels, which will run from Clovelly Park to just south of the Glenelg tramline in Glandore,” Mr Malinauskas aid.

“This massive precinct, which is approximately 1300 metres long and 100 metres wide, will feature three large rigs and associated cranes to build the retaining walls.”

Heavy machinery is on site and construction has ramped up at the Southern Precinct in Clovelly Park, marking the start of major works on the River Torrens to Darlington (T2D) Project that will create a non-stop South Road. Picture: RoyVPhotography

It would also have a 500-tonne crane on site to lift and place road components, house multiple

storage sheds and a large enclosed conveyor system to shift ground material from the tunnels to a spoil handling shed.

Up to 550 workers were expected to be employed at the southern precinct during peak construction, with the entire T2D Project to support approximately 5500 jobs per year during main construction. It was expected that 90 per cent of labour hours would be undertaken by South Australians.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said the project meant motorists would eventually bypass 21 sets of traffic lights between the River Torrens and Darlington.

Federal and State Infrastructure Ministers Catherine King said it was the largest infrastructure project in South Australian history. Picture: RoyVPhotography

“This is the last leg of a long journey to create the North-South Corridor – 78km of non-stop, traffic light-free motorway – and once complete, it will change the state for the better,” she said.

Two 90m-long tunnel boring machines were expected to build twin 4.5km southern tunnels in the second half of 2026, while another machine would construct the twin 2.2km northern tunnels.

The three tunnel-boring machines were bought from German manufacturer Herrenknecht in September, 2024.

Components are being manufactured in Germany and China, before being assembled and factory assurance tested in China, and then delivered to Adelaide by ship. The first of three the three were expected to arrive in late 2025.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis said local company McMahon Services already built an important link road between Norrie Ave and English Ave in Clovelly Park, which will help maintain access to and from South Road during T2D main construction.

Originally published as Premier Peter Malinauskas flags new work starting on tunnel boring launch pad for $15.4bn non-stop South Road project