Growth without gridlock
In the lead-up to the 21 March State Election, RAA has released its Growth without Gridlock vision for South Australia.
RAA Chief Executive Officer Nick Reade says South Australia’s population is climbing towards two million people and we’re seeing an explosion of new housing to support that increase.
“This growth is great for our state, but it must be supported by investment in infrastructure and services,” Nick says.
“Our Growth without Gridlock election platform is straightforward: we have a housing crisis; governments at all levels are trying to keep up, developers are investing in new estates, but infrastructure has been left behind.
“Without coordinated investment in roads, rail and other services, we risk losing what makes our state special – its liveability.”
In response, RAA has put forward a clear plan including expanded rail services and future-proofing road networks in high-growth areas north and south of Adelaide and in the Hills.
Here are 10 of the key transport and infrastructure projects RAA recommends.
1. North and south rail services
Create a blueprint to extend Adelaide rail services south to Aldinga and north to Roseworthy and Concordia, to service the projected population growth in these areas.
2. Main South Road
Install a third lane on Main South Road from the Southern Expressway across the Onkaparinga River, to reduce congestion caused by rapidly expanding southern communities.
3. Main North Road
Add a third lane to Main North Road between Montague Road and Kesters Road, and develop plans to expand the corridor in Smithfield between Kings Road and The Grove Way to ease congestion at these bottlenecks.
4. Curtis Road
Duplicate Curtis Road, a key east-west route in Adelaide’s outer northern suburbs, to help manage the significant increase in traffic in the state’s fastest growing area.
5. Port Wakefield Highway, Riverlea Boulevard intersection
Build an overpass at the Port Wakefield Road and Riverlea Boulevard intersection, which is currently controlled by traffic lights. The population of Riverlea Park is expected to reach 40,000 in the years ahead, and RAA believes the current intersection will be insufficient to safely deal with the increased traffic.
6. Adelaide Hills Freight Bypass
Move ahead with the Adelaide Hills Freight Bypass, including duplication of Swanport Bridge, a South Eastern Freeway interchange upgrade at Monarto, a heavy vehicle bypass of Truro, and road upgrades behind the Adelaide Hills.
7. South Eastern Freeway, Stirling to Verdun
Build a third lane on the South Eastern Freeway between Stirling and Verdun to service the increasing population growth in the Adelaide Hills and Mount Barker.
8. Augusta Highway, Sturt Highway and Dukes Highway
Upgrade our national highways, including the duplication of the Augusta Highway between Port Pirie and Crystal Brook, the Sturt Highway between Truro and Nuriootpa, and the Dukes Highway between Tailem Bend and the Mallee Highway.
9. On-demand bus services
Expand on-demand bus services to areas like the Adelaide Hills, Goolwa and Victor Harbor, following the success of the Mount Barker service.
10. Road maintenance backlog
Address the state’s road maintenance backlog through $1 billion of funding over four years.
To find out more, visit RAA Daily.