South Road twin tunnel entry and exit points revealed, along with properties to be acquired

The southern entry and exit points of the first South Rd tunnel have been revealed in an official map, along with the neighbouring properties marked for acquisition.

More than 60 homes and businesses will be demolished in phase one of South Australia’s largest infrastructure project, the expansive 4km tunnel dig under South Road.

Work on the two parallel tunnels of the North-South Corridor will start in 2023.

The Advertiser can reveal the southern entry and exit points of the first two parallel tunnels for the final stage of the North-South Corridor, as well as the businesses and homes in the firing line.

In the $9.9bn Torrens to Darlington project’s first major milestone, the Transport Department has released a map of the “southern laydown area” – a launch site for the assembly of two tunnel-boring machines.

The machines will be assembled on the western side of South Road at Clovelly Park, in an area between Selgar Ave and Princes Parade.

This area will then be turned into a new motorway, forming the southern entry and exit points of the tunnels.

Work at the site will start in early 2023 and is expected to take between 12 to 18 months in preparation alone. The area will become a hub of activity with various workshops, sheds and portable offices.

A total of 64 properties must be demolished to make way for the launch site. Among those in the marked area include the Tonsley Hotel, InkInSkin Tattoo Studio and the Clovelly Park Chiropractic Clinic.

Transport Minister Corey Wingard said negotiations had already begun with affected property owners in the area. It is understood all 64 had been contacted.

“When we announced this project, we made a commitment to let the community know as soon as possible when activities would begin in particular locations and which properties were likely to be impacted,” Mr Wingard said.

“By announcing that we’ve started property acquisitions in the southern laydown area, we’re ensuring everyone who has a stake in this project and in the local community is aware of the progress that’s been made and how the next steps will play out.”

Final renders of the North-South Corridor.

The final reference design for the rest of the 10.5km upgrade will be completed later this year.

A total of 390 properties must be acquired for the project.

Slashing travel time by 24 minutes, the Torrens to Darlington project will include two sets of parallel tunnels with three lanes going each way under South Road, as well as a series of surface and lowered motorways.

Construction is expected to generate more than 4500 jobs, making it the biggest infrastructure project in the state’s history.

Due to be completed by 2030, it is the final stage of the 78km non-stop North-South Corridor between Gawler and Old Noarlunga.

Federal Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher said revealing the southern tunnel launch site was an “important milestone” for the project.

“Significant work has already been done to progress this project, including hundreds of geotechnical investigations and the design for relocation of important utility services such as water, gas and telecommunications.”

Originally published as South Road twin tunnel entry and exit points revealed, along with properties to be acquired