Bentham St six-month closure as part of project to connect Adelaide Railway Station to Adelaide Central Market
Work is about to start on one of the last links in a $14.6m project connecting the Adelaide Railway Station to the Adelaide Central Market. See what’s happening.
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A busy city side street will be closed to vehicles for six months as part of a $5m upgrade originally meant to start four years ago.
Bentham St is to be converted into a shared use thoroughfare with trees, seating and street lighting as part of a project connecting the Adelaide Railway Station to Adelaide Central Market.
Work is set to begin on Monday. Other streets already upgraded include Bank St, Leigh St and Topham Mall.
City services director Tom McCready said Bentham St was part of the final leg of the $14.6m Market to Riverbank project. The other was Pitt St.
“These works are set to completely reinvigorate a key thoroughfare in the city as a new community space for residents, visitors and workers to enjoy,” he said.
“There will be six new outdoor seating areas for people to use, as well as new paving and smart lighting poles to contribute to safety at night.”
Mr McCready said streetscaping would be a key feature of the upgrade, which was approved by council in 2017, with construction expected to begin the following year.
“There will be five custom-designed greening columns to support vine growth and 20 trees to be planted along the strip to provide important shade,” he said.
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The project will involve the excavation of the road, replacement of subterranean infrastructure and resurfacing.
Mr McCready said the council was “really pleased to now be in a position to move ahead”.
“Works were on hold due to an SA Health direction,” he said.
“However, Peppers Hotel will revise its procedures to accommodate the construction works and ensure the safety of all workers and the public.”
Mr McCready said while the street would be closed to vehicles, pedestrians would be able to travel along the length of the street throughout construction.
Alternative parking arrangements were being made for businesses on the street, which include The Advertiser, Australia Post and the Franklin Apartments.
“We have been engaging with local businesses about access to their premises for waste collection, deliveries, and all other necessary local access,” he said.
Mr McCready said the project would be undertaken by private contractors, T & J Constructions.
“T & J Constructions will of course strive to keep the disruption and nuisance to a minimum and to complete the construction in the shortest possible time frame,” he said.
SA Health confirmed guests would be able to access Peppers Hotel from Waymouth St.
“We have been working with the Adelaide City Council so that the roadworks along Bentham St can continue and guests are able to be accommodated safely in and out of the Peppers Hotel,” said a spokeswoman.