COM: McLaren Vale Overpass | $18m

[danielphin]

I just dont see the point why the existing traffic should have to even enter South Rd. Surely 95% of traffic from VH Rd. enter the Southern Expressway, even if a lot of them get off on the Noarlunga exit

Why do you think the figure would be anywhere near that high? The southern suburbs are likely to have more traffic to and from VH than the rest of Adelaide, due to their proximity. And Hackham, Morphett Vale, Woodcroft and Reynella (East) make up a substantial part of the southern suburbs.

Just my personal networking of VH residents, nothing scientific. Some commute to the TAFE and the Flinders for education, and Oaklands Park for retail shopping.

But when travelling on north on VH road, generally you have the same traffic tag along right through and onto the S/Exy.

I mention the Noarlunga exit of the S/Exy because it features the southern terminus of the Noarlunga train line, and TAFE.

[Aidan]

The idea of extending the Southern Expressway to McLaren Vale seems to be very popular with those who would use it, but with so many other competing demands for infrastructure funding, there is no way it could be justified any time soon... unless it's built as a tollway.

So how do the people who are likely to use it feel about tolls? How much is the time it would save really worth?

[Wayno]

So how do the people who are likely to use it feel about tolls? How much is the time it would save really worth?

I'm a regular user of that stretch of road, albeit mostly counter to peak traffic flows. I prefer we simply make South Rd 80km/h from the end of the SEXY to where it branches off to Victor Harbor just past Old Noarlunga. It's only ~4km long. No toll needed. Simple.

[drwaddles]

The direct link is desirable in the long term to separate short and long distance traffic - particularly important given the limited crossings of the Onkaparinga River in this area - however I agree with Wayno that in the short term the existing stretch of South Road is OK.

The traffic signals at Patapinda Road/Seaford Road will be a bottleneck, however it is possible that you could tunnel/trench beneath this intersection to join the approach to the bridge. Potentially, Victor Harbour Road traffic could enter a trench before Main South Road and also pass under the signalised intersection before any merges.

[Will]

From the Messenger:

Cash to fix deadly McLaren Vale junction

newsLocal News02 Mar 10 @ 09:00am by Jessica Whiting




ELEVATION JUBILATION: An artist's impression of the Victor Harbor Rd overpass.





MAIN Rd at McLaren Vale will be elevated over Victor Harbor Rd, ridding the south of one of its most notorious intersections in what has been described as a surprise win for the region.

Traffic from McLaren Vale will be able to merge with cars on Victor Harbor Rd via on and off ramps, removing the dangerous T-junction which has recorded 35 crashes in seven years.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced the $18 million project $14.4 million from Federal coffers and $3.6 million from the State Government during a visit to McLaren Vale on Saturday, February 27.

McLaren Vale Business Association chairman David Cavenagh said the project came as “quite a surprise”.

“But we are absolutely delighted because it will make such a difference to that intersection,” he said. “It will make it faster, safer and eliminate a great deal of frustration for drivers.” McLaren Vale Grape Wine and Tourism association chairman Dudley Brown said it was “nice to see we are starting to get the infrastructure needed for a major wine and tourism industry”. Construction will start in 2011 and take 18 months.

Kingston MHR Amanda Rishworth (Labor) said the overpass was expected to support 120 jobs and would make it safer and more efficient for the 18,000 drivers who used the road each day.

In 2008, the State Government spent $300,000 upgrading the intersection, including lengthening the left-turn lane from Victor Harbor Rd to Main Rd, following the death of three elderly people in a crash in 2007.

Mawson candidate and MP Leon Bignell (Labor) said the overpass would remove the danger for tourists who were unfamiliar with the intersection.

“This will be great to take the risk out of the road,” he said.

Liberal candidate Matt Donovan said the party would match the state contribution if elected.

“It is, however, disappointing that it’s taken until three weeks before the election for something to be done,” he said.

Greens candidate for Mawson, Palitja Moore, was in support, saying it was great for safety.

Family First MLC Robert Brokenshire used the announcement to launch his party’s plan to construct a second carriageway on Victor Harbor Rd between Old Noarlunga and Willunga for $350 million.

[Aidan]

The traffic signals at Patapinda Road/Seaford Road will be a bottleneck, however it is possible that you could tunnel/trench beneath this intersection to join the approach to the bridge. Potentially, Victor Harbour Road traffic could enter a trench before Main South Road and also pass under the signalised intersection before any merges.

Trenches would be disruptive and expensive, and the proximity to the river may complicate matters even more. Bridges over South Road would be a much better solution.

[drwaddles]

Trenches would be disruptive and expensive, and the proximity to the river may complicate matters even more. Bridges over South Road would be a much better solution.

I don't know, there's a decent downgrade on approach to the bridge which could be used to advantage in the trench option (link).

[rhino]

From ABC News online:

Overpass work starts at black spot
Updated February 23, 2012 12:46:22

Work is starting to build an overpass at a notoriously-dangerous intersection on Adelaide's southern outskirts.

The $18 million project will elevate Main Road at McLaren Vale over the Victor Harbor Road, ending the need for some motorists to make a hazardous right turn toward Adelaide.

South Australian Transport Minister Patrick Conlon says the intersection has long needed improvement.

"It has a poor record for crashes at the intersection, something like 38 between 2002 and 2009 and one tragic crash which involved multiple fatalities," he said.

"We do want to make sure those things don't happen in the future. This overpass will make it so much safer."

The project is expected to take about a year to complete and there will be speed restrictions in the area throughout the roadworks.

Mr Conlon says the Government will be keen to duplicate part of the Victor Harbor Road some time in the future and the overpass will be built to allow for that prospect.

Dangerous junction
The junction of Victor Harbor and Main Roads at McLaren Vale has a poor safety record, with 10 casualty crashes from 2005 to 2009, including a triple fatality in August 2007.
As a result of the triple fatality, the left turn lanes onto Main Road were extended to allow right-turning vehicles on Main Road to distinguish between southbound traffic on Victor Harbor Road and traffic turning left into McLaren Vale.
A planning investigation found the junction was operating at capacity in both the morning and evening peaks.
- Information from SA Transport Dept

I knew bridges were cheaper than underpasses, but $18million seems incredibly cheap. Good to see that it's going to be able to cope with a dual-carriageway Victor Harbor Road in the future.

[Wayno]

Seems they already started - Feb 1 nearmap

[wilkiebarkid]

Hopefully this is the start of what will become a 4 lane motorway all the way to Goolwa with exits to Mount Compass, Victor Harbor etc.

Main Road rises over Victor Harbor Road and loops around allowing traffic to merge going north
and an exit lane from VHR allows traffic to turn right into Main Road coming from south.












from the Govt. website.

[Waewick]

wow!

[mattblack]

A massive amount of earthworks have been going on for some time now and is progressing fairly quickly. Should be open in time for the next election to get those southerners on side.

[mattblack]

Heres a u tube link. Pollies doing the usual talking but you can see some of the earthworks that have taken place. Pretty big.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82MXH0DT ... e=youtu.be

[Aidan]

Hopefully this is the start of what will become a 4 lane motorway all the way to Goolwa with exits to Mount Compass, Victor Harbor etc.

Why Goolwa?

[wilkiebarkid]

Hopefully this is the start of what will become a 4 lane motorway all the way to Goolwa with exits to Mount Compass, Victor Harbor etc.

Why Goolwa?

Because of the level of development along the Encounter Coast. Why would you stop it at Victor Harbor. It could run south bypassing Mt Compass and turn east to Goolwa, with exits to Mt Compass, Victor Harbor, Port Elliot and Middleton.

It'd probably never happen though, as the easiest and most cost effective improvement would be to duplicate all the way to Victor.