[U/C] M2 North-South Motorway

[rockthenation]

Westside, I'm lucky enough to be working on both T2T and Ashwin Parade intersection upgrade. They are separate projects, under an overall North-South Corridor program of works. Which means they are funded separately, managed separately and contracted separately, however they are both designed to integrate into an overall South Rd design.

The works between River Torrens and Torrens Rd are more involved than just removing the Grange Rd, Port Rd and rail intersections (which are huge undertakings by themselves). It involves upgrading that entire section from Torrens to Torrens to a 3 lane non-stop motorway in each direction, as well as building a 2 lane at-grade South Rd in each direction for local users.

The works at Ashwin Parade are designed to improve traffic flows south of the Torrens to Torrens project until the motorway is extended south in the future. It also caters for the significant works that Woolworths are doing at the Brickworks.

Will try to keep you guys up to date as things progress.

Given that you're working on it, what are the potential ideas on upgrading between Hindmarsh Ave and the Bridge over the Torrens River? It seems silly that section is being left untouched as, travelling Northbound from the Ashwin Pde intersection, you're going from 3 lanes back into 2 then the underpass starts. It seems dangerous as, according to the concept plan, there's left in / out only turns at Hindmarsh Ave.

[claybro]

IIRC, the SA state government wasn't too keen on a freight toll to help fund the Northern Connector.

This has been an ongoing excuse for poor road infrastructiure in SA for decades now. Meanwhile SA gov of both persuasions just hold out their hands for Federal funding. All other mainland states now have or in the case of WA are proposing toll solutions. Given that other old chestnut excuse in SA that traffic volumes dont warrant tolls, and the apparent inability to charge a state levy on fuel under the GST legislation, maybe a hefty levy on registration of Metro registered vehicles should be considered. At least it would appear finally that the Federal government (and federal opposition) have identified the rigamortis in SA and finally the blowtorch is being applied to SA regarding alternate revenue. I believe it is not a matter of if, but when.

[rev]

Surprised nobody posted this yet..Park Terrace and part of Torrens Road near the intersection will be widened as part of the South Road upgrades so local roads can cope during construction of Torrens to Torrens. Park Terrace will be 3 lanes each direction.

[Nathan]

Surprised nobody posted this yet..Park Terrace and part of Torrens Road near the intersection will be widened as part of the South Road upgrades so local roads can cope during construction of Torrens to Torrens. Park Terrace will be 3 lanes each direction.

It's only just been announced as far I know. I only received information about it in the letterbox yesterday (and an email Friday afternoon). It'll be 3 lanes each way from the Outer Harbour Line around to Prospect Rd, with the extra lanes claimed from the centre median strip (so no road-widening). There'll be some new left turn slip lanes heading east to turn into some of Bowden's streets, and a U-turn slip lane (east turning back west) just after Fifth St. The bike lanes along Fitzroy Tce will be removed, and instead an off-road shared path along the edge of the parklands be put in instead (subject to council approval).

Edit: Details from DPTI

http://infrastructure.sa.gov.au/road_pr ... rd_upgrade

The Australian and South Australian Governments are continuing to build world class infrastructure in South Australia by undertaking early works projects for the North-South Corridor, Torrens Road to River Torrens Project.

The $11.3M upgrade of Park Terrace, Fitzroy Terrace and Torrens Road will improve efficiency and safety. The project will provide benefits to all road users by addressing the current traffic congestion along this route. The project will also ease traffic congestion when major construction works on the Torrens Road to River Torrens Project gets underway in the second half of this year.

The Park Terrace, Fitzroy Terrace and Torrens Road upgrade consists of:

• An additional traffic lane in each direction on Park Terrace / Fitzroy Terrace east of Port Road through to Prospect Road, utilising the wide centre median that currently exists along most sections of these roads.
• The existing bicycle lane on the southern side of Fitzroy Terrace between Prospect Road and Torrens Road, will be removed and a new bicycle/pedestrian path constructed through the Parklands (subject to Council agreement). On road bicycle lanes will remain along the rest of the project.
• The provision of a third city-bound lane on Torrens Road, utilising the existing long left turn lane into Churchill Road as it crosses the rail line and removing the dedicated bus lane on the northern approach to the Churchill Road intersection.
• Controlled signalised right turn movements from Park Terrace into Hawker Street and War Memorial Drive.
• Removal of trees in the centre median on Park Terrace between Fourth Street and Sixth Street.
• Revegetation in service road medians where possible and practical.

No land acquisition is required for this project as widening will occur within the road corridor or road reserve.

The design of this upgrade aims to minimise impacts on adjacent land uses, owners and tenants, while balancing the constraints of this upgrade, including its close proximity to the Parklands, the rail overpass, the Bowden redevelopment and the existing high voltage power lines. All of these factors have been balanced with the project objectives of improving efficiency and safety for road users. Consequently, the majority of the design is constrained. However there are certain elements such as landscaping and revegetation which are being discussed with local Council.

See below to view the plans of the proposed upgrade:
Upgrade plan sheet 1
Upgrade plan sheet 2
Upgrade plan sheet 3
If you would like to provide feedback on this project please do so by 30 January 2015 via our website, by email or by mail.

Email us: [email protected]
Write to us: Park Terrace Upgrade, DPTI, GPO Box 1533, Adelaide SA 5001
Phone us: 1300 794 880

Once the community feedback period has finished, DPTI will analyse the comments received and take into consideration where possible or appropriate for the final design.

At this stage, construction is expected to commence in March 2015, and is expected to take approximately six months to complete, weather permitting. Work is likely to begin at the Prospect Road end of the upgrade and move towards Port Road.

Some night work will be required to minimise disruption to road users and to complete the project in the shortest possible time. Night works will be managed to minimise disturbance to the local community as much as possible and adjacent residents will be provided with advance notice.

[warpspeed]

They should also widen James Congdon Drive between Sir Donald Bradman Drive and South Road to help with this too. That also has a wide median strip that could easily be revamped to two lanes each way.

That would be a reasonable alternate route for some traffic.

[Norman]

They should also widen James Congdon Drive between Sir Donald Bradman Drive and South Road to help with this too. That also has a wide median strip that could easily be revamped to two lanes each way.

That would be a reasonable alternate route for some traffic.

They are going to do that this year.

[Ben]

Still no action at Darlington.

[Norman]

I would say that they are currently preparing the Project Impact Report, followed by consultation. I think construction was due to commence end of this year.

[rev]

There seems to be a lot of "paint" markings, around the Torrens Rd intersection. Possibly some holes?
Noticed it as I was driving past. Usually when they start marking the road like that, work is imminent from my observations..
A home two doors down on Torrens Road from the project office(where the pool display center was) has been demolished, but not the home directly next door.
If this isn't well underway by the middle of the year I'll eat my hat.

[rockthenation]

Drove past the Ashwin Pde / West Theb Rd intersection yesterday, seems to be coming along nicely, didn't get any pictures though. Still getting used to that part of South Rd being that wide!

[rev]

Drove past the Ashwin Pde / West Theb Rd intersection yesterday, seems to be coming along nicely, didn't get any pictures though. Still getting used to that part of South Rd being that wide!

Imagine your surprise when Torrens to Torrens is finished then

[warpspeed]

It looks as though there are some properties that have been demolished or acquired to the north of Torrens Road, near the bend.

Any one know if they're planning to do that bit too.

From my point of view, it would seem logical to extend the project just beyond Torrens Road and smoothen out that bend. The road beyond the bend between the Superway and Torrens Road seems perfectly fine for the time being.

[rev]

It looks as though there are some properties that have been demolished or acquired to the north of Torrens Road, near the bend.

Any one know if they're planning to do that bit too.

From my point of view, it would seem logical to extend the project just beyond Torrens Road and smoothen out that bend. The road beyond the bend between the Superway and Torrens Road seems perfectly fine for the time being.

How far north? Surely you're not talking about the empty block of land just before Pym Street because if so that's been like that for years.

[warpspeed]

Between Torrens Road and Lamont Street.

[Norman]

Yes, the curve after Torrens Road will be eased, so that bit will be done.