Design of key sections of SA’s Torrens to Darlington (T2D) motorway area revealed

Torrens-To-Darlington

South Australia, T2D,

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Detailed plans for the crucial northern entry and exit points of the Torrens to Darlington (T2D) southern tunnels have been revealed, as well as a direct connection to Anzac Highway that will allow motorists to get from the southern suburbs towards the Adelaide CBD without stopping at traffic lights.

An elevated ramp will take motorists from the south directly and non-stop from the T2D motorway to Anzac Highway on a new structure over the interchange at South Road, making it easier, safer and quicker to travel to the city.

Federal Minister of Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the announcement on the Anzac Highway connection marked another key milestone in the delivery of the T2D Project.

“The T2D is the final piece of one of the most significant projects in the state’s history and will not only dramatically reduce travel times for people going north and south, but will also make it much quicker and safer for the thousands of motorists travelling into the city,” Minister Fletcher said.

The solution for this vital east/west traffic movement was identified following a rigorous planning and design process, and will be achieved without any property acquisitions on Anzac Highway.

Early designs for the connection between the T2D motorway and Anzac Highway had further acquisition impacts, including local heritage-listed buildings.

While there are vegetation impacts with this solution, the T2D Project is committed to replanting and replacing trees whenever possible, along with exploring other City Shaping options, to ultimately deliver more tree canopy across the project’s footprint.

South Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Corey Wingard MP, said the project team will also work with key stakeholders, including the Returned & Services League and Department of Veterans’ Affairs, to ensure the elevated ramp structure and urban design of this location pays appropriate tribute to the ANZACs and all Australian servicemen and servicewomen.

“We understand this will be a change for this part of Anzac Highway but we are committed to making sure this area remains one that all South Australians can be proud of,” Minister Wingard said.

“A key stakeholder working group is being established to ensure this important thoroughfare continues to be an appropriate ANZAC tribute.”

Along with the time-saving connection to the CBD, the map of the area around Glandore and Black Forest reveals how the new motorway will function south of Anzac Highway, helping unblock the journey to other important destinations, including Adelaide Airport and Port Adelaide.

The plans include a pedestrian overpass for people accessing the Black Forest Shopping Centre or Black Forest Primary School, as well as a dedicated drop-off area for families.

“This is the biggest road infrastructure project in South Australian history and it will have a practical, permanent and overwhelmingly positive impact not just on Adelaide but the entire state.

“The T2D project is also a powerful employment stimulus with almost 300 jobs already supported in the preparatory stages and more than 4,500 jobs to be supported during construction.”

Additional detail on the map shows how the two three-lane Southern Tunnels – which will be constructed from the Tonsley-Clovelly Park end from 2023 – will ‘surface’ at Glandore, near where the Glenelg tramline overpass crosses current South Road.

Cross Road traffic will connect to the motorway via South Road with a layout that minimises the footprint needed for the motorway, while also maintaining the Adelaide Metro Tram network operations by preserving the ability for trams to return to the Morphettville depot each night for safe storage and maintenance.

Construction of the Southern Tunnels is expected to start in late 2023. The first stage of the T2D, connecting Anzac Highway to Darlington, is jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian governments, with $5.422 billion committed.

The entire 10.5-kilometre project is to be completed – subject to planning, approvals and funding – in 2030.

View the full media release here

Source: © Copyright, Commonwealth of Australia


About Torrens to Darlington T2D Project

The T2D Project is the final 10.5km piece of the North-South Corridor and the most significant road infrastructure project ever undertaken in South Australia. Using a combination of tunnels, lowered and ground-level motorways, as well as overpasses and underpasses at key intersections, T2D will bypass 21 sets of traffic lights between the River Torrens and Darlington.

Set to unlock Adelaide’s traffic network, T2D will stimulate economic activity, supporting more than 4,500 jobs and help ensure people, produce and products arrive where they need to be safer and sooner.

The design for T2D consists of two tunnel sections joined by a lowered motorway. The Southern Tunnel will connect Darlington to Anzac Highway, while the Northern Tunnel will be located north of Anzac Highway and connect to Torrensville. The Southern Tunnel and Northern Tunnel will be joined by the Tunnel Connector lowered motorway.

EARLY WORKS 2021

The early works program is underway on the T2D project. This work includes utility service relocations, ground investigations and surveying.

For information relating to the location and timing of any works in your area please click on the image below and view the interactive map.

We will notify nearby local residents and businesses in advance of any activities that are planned for their area and will work to keep disruption to a minimum.

Detours, signage and traffic controllers will be in place to manage traffic flow and ensure motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are able to safely navigate around our work areas.

PROJECT BENEFITS

Currently, more than 110,000 vehicles use parts of South Road and its parallel alternate routes in a north-south direction each day. Further, 100,000 vehicles travel in an east-west direction through key intersections on South Road. With four out of the six key intersections almost at capacity, a solution to bust congestion is of critical importance to support South Australia’s growth.

When this section is complete, motorists will be able to travel from the River Torrens to Darlington in around eight minutes, bypassing 21 sets of traffic lights and saving up to 24 minutes in travel time per trip.

The project will also deliver a wide range of social, economic, environmental and safety benefits, not only for Adelaide, but for South Australia, including:

  • Supporting up to 4,000 jobs during construction and building a skills legacy for future projects
  • Around 60% of the motorway will be in underground tunnels – meaning less impacts to the surface and communities
  • Removing more than 110,000 daily vehicle movements from Edwardstown and Thebarton into underground tunnels
  • Improving the connectivity of the east-west transport network
  • Better access to travel gateways including Adelaide Airport, the Port of Adelaide, and national highways
  • Safer, more reliable and efficient journeys
    • Bypassing 21 sets of traffic lights
    • Shaving up to 24 minutes off the existing River Torrens to Darlington journey
    • Busting congestion at notorious key intersections
  • Improving South Australia’s competitiveness through the provision of efficient access to and from key freight areas
  • Preserving sites of cultural importance
  • 78 km of non-stop travel from the north to the south of Adelaide
  • Creating opportunities for urban renewal and place-making for local businesses and residents through a dedicated City Shaping Program
    • New and upgraded walking and cycling paths
    • New and improved green spaces and recreational areas
  • Providing better connections, bringing communities together

Source: The Department of Infrastructure and Transport, the Government of South Australia,T2D Torrens to Darlington Sourced on 26th October 2021, https://dit.sa.gov.au/nsc/torrens_to_darlington

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