[COM] M2 Northern Connector | 15.5km | $867m

[drsmith]

I'm getting very worried about the prospects for this project.

It seems that like with the Port Wakefield Bypass, I'm talking to myself. That's not an encouraging sign.

Giving this somewhat limp horse a bit more of a flogging, the best option for connecting stage 1 to the Port Wakefield Road might be just north of the service station. This avoids the Bolivar Road/PWR intersection altogether. Allowing only major movements, a 2-phase traffic signal is all that is required for southbound traffic on PWR entering the connector stage 1 (in the same way in which the southbound right turn operates on PWR entering the Sailsbury Highway westbound).

The northbound entry from the connector stage 1 onto PWR could either be free flowing or also have a 2-phase traffic signal depending on local access considerations up to and including the Waterloo Corner intersection.

[neoballmon]

This is key part of making the north-south route non-stop though, so your plan with traffic lights would not work in its favour. Southbound traffic entering the connector would have to be an overpass, and Waterloo Corner road would also need to be grade separated.

But overall, this option would most likely be cheaper than taking the N.C. all the way to NExy.

[drsmith]

This is key part of making the north-south route non-stop though, so your plan with traffic lights would not work in its favour.

That would come with the second stage in what is now increasingly looking like a 2-stage project.

[drsmith]

With the SA state election looming early next year, is there a glimmer of hope for this project in the wake of the Holden closure announcement ?

Mr Weatherill yesterday handed Mr Abbott a letter with a list of demands to keep the SA economy from sinking under the weight of the Holden closure.

In the letter, the Premier says cash must pour into the state.

He wants more than $1.1 billion for the Northern Connector and a commitment to future submarine and shipbuilding in SA.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/ho ... 6782038517#

[drsmith]

The sister project to this in Perth in now funded.

https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/Buildin ... inkWA.aspx

The state election though in SA draws ever closer.

[drsmith]

A noise earlier this month from the Federal Government regarding this project and it's not encouraging.

Federal Assistant Infrastructure Minister Jamie Briggs, who on Monday warned against "unedifying scare campaigns" on toll roads, said user charges were a matter for state governments.

He said Canberra would not fund the Northern Connector project without a 50 per cent state contribution, and the project was not a priority for the federal government.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nationa ... 6796867103#

[Hooligan]

Is this project a priority though? Maybe the feds are right on this one.

[[Shuz]]

I have to say I agree with the Feds on this one too, it's not a high priority at all. If anything, it's probably the lowest priority of the entire South Road corridor.

[Hooligan]

I drive along this stretch of Port Wakefield Road (well the bit paralleling it but whatever) daily and I've only had minor issues with traffic and that has only been because of an accident or roadworks up ahead.

The Port River Expressway and Salisbury Highway up until Port Wakefield Road is worse.

[rev]

If they had any common sense they would start multiple sections either end of South Road and work their way to the middle, then once there start the northern connector. Or is todays generation going to be on Viagra before it's all finished? Why must everything be done slowly one thing at a time?
The federal government should have plenty of spare money after the millions they've cut from community programs, the car industry and who knows what else.

[[Shuz]]

Just had a dig around for the facts - I've since had a change of mind / opinion.

The Northern Connector is rated by IA (Infrastructure Australia) of having a CBR - cost benefit ratio - of a whopping 8.5. Meaning, that for every $1 invested, there is a return of $8.50. It's valued at $1.1b - economic benefit to the state is therefore estimated at $9.4b. If that's the case, then why the hell are we not progressing with it now?

The state economy is in the doldrums, we'll likely have a Liberal Government soon enough, which will make co-operation between the Feds and State easier - Abbott is fervently pro-roads... am I missing something here? Isn't this the sort of big-policy election announcement the State Liberals should be hooing and haaing about?

[Waewick]

Just had a dig around for the facts - I've since had a change of mind / opinion.

The Northern Connector is rated by IA (Infrastructure Australia) of having a CBR - cost benefit ratio - of a whopping 8.5. Meaning, that for every $1 invested, there is a return of $8.50. It's valued at $1.1b - economic benefit to the state is therefore estimated at $9.4b. If that's the case, then why the hell are we not progressing with it now?

The state economy is in the doldrums, we'll likely have a Liberal Government soon enough, which will make co-operation between the Feds and State easier - Abbott is fervently pro-roads... am I missing something here? Isn't this the sort of big-policy election announcement the State Liberals should be hooing and haaing about?

I have a feeling that we'll get announcements post election.

typical and inevitable political bullshit

[[Shuz]]

But why post-election? Why not pre-election? Would that not gain them votes?

[Waewick]

But why post-election? Why not pre-election? Would that not gain them votes?

no. because pre-election both parties get the benefit.

Abbott can't come out and say we'll fund the Northern Connector if the libs win.

so he can do it afterwards to both he and the state libs get the kudos (which I hate, no government should get kudos for bloody infrastructure).

[drsmith]

The problem for the Northern Connector politically at least is that it's third in the queue of major South Road projects. The major federal parties were promising funding for only one of either the Torrens or Darlington upgrades at the federal election.

Unless the state can match 50% funding or there's an alternative source of funding, the likelihood is that both of the above projects will have priority above the Northern Connector.

I drive along this stretch of Port Wakefield Road (well the bit paralleling it but whatever) daily and I've only had minor issues with traffic and that has only been because of an accident or roadworks up ahead.

The Port River Expressway and Salisbury Highway up until Port Wakefield Road is worse.

A obvious short term upgrade option would be to widen the Salisbury Highway between South Road and PW Road to 6-lanes. It will be interesting to see how well the existing PW Road and above section of Salisbury Highway cope after the Superway is opened.