Maintain The Transport Network

Maintain the transport network and ensure it meets the needs of all users

The Southern Expressway—the $407.5m duplication project—was opened to traffic. The completed 18.5 km two-way, multi-lane expressway between Bedford Park and Old Noarlunga is an essential part of Adelaide's North-South Corridor, giving southern residents better access to employment, education, shopping and community facilities, and supports economic activity in southern commercial and industrial areas such as Reynella, Lonsdale and Noarlunga Centre. It also places the southern beaches and McLaren Vale within easier reach of city and northern residents.

The department, in partnership with Primary Producers SA and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA), undertook extensive consultation on the need to modernise the transport system for the agriculture industry. The joint report, A Modern Transport System for Agriculture–A New Partnership Approach, identifies priorities for regulatory reform and ‘last mile’ investments to improve the performance of the regional road network to meet industry needs. The proposed regulatory reforms will reduce red tape and costs for farmers and agribusinesses, which generate about $19.4b in revenue for the State each year. Work on reforms is underway, including with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

In January, the department mounted a major operation of closing roads and management of traffic and public transport during the Sampson Flat bushfire in the Adelaide Hills. Working with SAPOL, the Country Fire Service and the Adelaide Hills Council, the department provided a team in the State Emergency Centre covering shifts across the 24 hour cycle and on the ground doing risk assessments associated with infrastructure—burnt trees falling onto roads were a significant issue. The Traffic Management Centre provided support to the State Emergency Centre while also handling incoming calls from the public.

Regional roads in South Australia were allocated $122m in State Government funds and $39m in Australian Government funds (total $161m), enabling the department to undertake vital road works to improve traffic flow, safety and productivity. Highlights include:

• Commencement of Karoonda Highway shoulder sealing and delivered shoulder sealing on the Port Pirie to Port Broughton Road.
• Completion of the 2 km Penola Southern Bypass to provide a faster, more direct route between the Riddoch Highway and Robe Road, resulting in reduced traffic noise, a cleaner environment and better pedestrian safety for Penola residents, and reduced travel time for commercial vehicles, particularly heavy vehicles to and from blue gum plantations west of Penola.
• Commencement of a second interchange on the South Eastern Freeway to the east of Mount Barker at Bald Hills Road and upgrading of the junction of Old Princes Highway and Bald Hills Road. The changes will cater for increased traffic in the expanding region, as well as improve safety and support freight efficiencies. The major works contract was awarded to South Australian company Bardavcol Pty Ltd.
• Commencement of widening and rehabilitation works on the Bute to Kulpara Road on Yorke Peninsula and Main North Road between Laura and Gladstone in the Mid North to make travel more comfortable and safer for the hundreds of drivers who use these roads every day and support more efficient transport of agricultural and mining products.

Other regional road upgrades include:

• pavement construction and sealing of local streets in Innamincka Township
• construction of four cement stabilized, bitumen sealed floodways on the Strzelecki Track, at Two Mile Creek, Pelican Creek, Petermorra Creek and Dean Bore Creek.

The department also undertook Road Management Plans (RMP) aimed at reviewing specific stretches of road in terms of their safety for users and the priority of future projects. This included a finalised RMP for Main Road / Shepherds Hill Road, and continued consultation with the community and Councils on RMPs for Brighton Road, Main South Road, and Penfold / St Bernards / Newton / Darley Roads.

As announced by His Excellency the Governor at the opening of Parliament earlier this year, the department has initiated a review of South Australia’s transport laws, specifically the Motor Vehicles Act 1959 and the Road Traffic Act 1961, with a view to simplifying and consolidating the legislation in line with current needs and technologies, and in order to identify the changes needed to enable the trialling of driverless cars in the State.

The review will examine how the legislation can better link transport connections, movements and networks to integrate with broader land use development considerations.