A new artist’s impression looking south. The first bridge is Sturt Rd near Flinders Uni, while the second is Flinders Drive.
Source: Supplied
ABOUT 15,000 extra commuters a day will be able to use a non -stop motorway from Adelaide’s south under a redesign of the $620 million Darlington upgrade, according to the Federal Government.
The changes announced today will allow motorists on Flagstaff Hill and Main South roads, to use the non-stop motorway avoiding three sets of lights.
The previous design released last year only gave motorists using the expressway access to the 2.3km motorway.
The new plan also features a lowered road that passes underneath Flinders Drive and Sturt Rd and an interchange at the junction of the Southern Expressway and Main South Rd.
Traffic will flow continuously on and off the Southern Expressway while South Rd passes over the top of the expressway.
Federal Assistant Infrastructure Minister Jamie Briggs said announcing the new design was an important step for the $620 million project that was 80 per cent funded by the Federal Government with the State Government providing the rest.
An earlier version of the concept plan, showing the Flinders Drive road bridge over South Rd. The proposed upgrade was to allow a non-stop travel along the busy 2.3km section of Main South Rd between the Southern Expressway and Ayliffes Rd.
“This project is an investment in South Australian jobs and economic growth. It will support about 370 jobs a year during construction, slash travel times for motorists and boost freight efficiency,” he said.
“The Darlington Upgrade will help eliminate congestion by creating a non-stop motorway along the busy 2.3km section of Main South Rd between the Southern Expressway and Ayliffes Rd.”
Mr Briggs said it provides better access to the Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University, Tonsley precinct and other local businesses, while Main South and Ayliffes intersection was unchanged.
Major construction should begin later this year to meet the targeted 2018 finish.
State Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan said the changes responded to public feedback and data which showed about half of the traffic coming in to Darlington from the south used Main South and Flagstaff roads.
“Making the non-stop motorway accessible to all of these roads means more road users will enjoy the benefits of this substantive project,” he said.
“This project will be conducted in line with the State Government’s Industry Participation Policy,
which seeks to give local small-to-medium businesses a better chance of being involved.”
Further information is available at www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/darlington
The Darlington upgrade was a major campaign issue for both the 2013 Federal Election and last year’s State Election.
Labor was committed to the Torrens to Torrens project while the Liberals backed the Darlington upgrade.
Last year’s Federal Budget locked in cash for both projects after both levels of government agreed on a cheaper plan for the Darlington project.
Previous plans for the upgrade we costed at up to $1.8 billion included a full interchange with rail services linking to Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders University.
About 15,000 extra motorists to benefit from new Darlington upgrade plans
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