[U/C] M2 North-South Motorway

[how good is he]

Rhino, I understand the trench can continue under Torrens Rd in the future, but that's my point... It seems crazy not to add the maybe 100m - 200m or so of trenching the road underground now to achieve this. How much more could this possibly cost?

[ml69]

I notice on the Infrastructure SA website that South Rd Superway has been renamed the North-South Motorway. So it would seem that our 78km non-stop North-South Corridor will eventually have 3 named components: (1) Southern Expressway; (2) North-South Motorway (between Darlington and PREXY); (3) Northern Expressway (assuming the Northern Connector becomes part of the Northern Expressway).

Also I wonder if anyone noticed that conceptual design of the Darlington section is the same as the T2T section, even though of course they look totally different? I only realised this today. Below are excepts from the Infrastructure SA website:

Torrens to Torrens project
The solution will include the following components:
- A new, lowered road under Grange and Port Road. This will provide a non-stop route through the area for passing traffic and reduce delays to east-west travel ... The lowered non-stop carriageway will provide three lanes in each direction in an approximately eight metre deep cutting. This lowered road will be constructed mostly on the western side of the existing South Road.
- A parallel surface road along the length of the lowered road to connect the majority of local roads and arterial roads to South Road as they do now.

Darlington project
The solution will include the following components:
- A new lowered road on the western side of South Road that will allow non-stop flow of traffic from the Southern Expressway to the Ayliffes Road  intersection with South Road ... The lowered non-stop carriageway will provide three lanes in each direction in an approximately eight metre deep excavation. The lowered road will be constructed on the western side of the existing South Road.
- A parallel surface road (an upgraded South Road) along the current South Road alignment to ensure all existing arterial and local road connections remain in place and operate as they do now.

So if two key sections of the North-South Motorway are conceptually designed as a 3+3 lane non-stop trench on the western side of a parallel South Rd at surface level, it's not unreasonable to assume that the section in between (River Torrens to Ayliffes Rd) will follow a similar layout, where practicable. Hence I think we've already been given a big clue to the design of the rest of the corridor.

The trench concept is actually a pretty good solution which balances the conflicting needs of local access vs non-stop high speed travel. It minimises impact on the existing South Rd during construction, plus also allows for the possibility of tolls on the motorway section. For those who don't want to pays tolls, just use the 60kmh surface road with traffic lights as opposed to the 90kmh motorway.

The only sections where I think you couldn't trench the western side of South Rd is (perhaps) Edwardstown, and the section between Sir Donald Bradman Dr and Henley Beach Rd where there are a couple of heritage buildings abutting South Rd. Perhaps a tunnel is the only solution for this section.

Have also been thinking about where the on/off ramps for the North-South Motorway are likely to be. I suspect they will be very widely spaced, and only link to the most major arterial roads to minimise construction cost. I think PREXY, Regency Rd, Port Rd, Anzac Hwy, Ayliffes Rd and SEXY intersections.

[kingy]

Have also been thinking about where the on/off ramps for the North-South Motorway are likely to be. I suspect they will be very widely spaced, and only link to the most major arterial roads to minimise construction cost. I think PREXY, Regency Rd, Port Rd, Anzac Hwy, Ayliffes Rd and SEXY intersections.

There is also a northbound onramp and a southbound offramp at Grand Junction Road on the Superway, and these partial access points will likely be built at other locations along the corridor.

[neoballmon]

I notice on the Infrastructure SA website that South Rd Superway has been renamed the North-South Motorway. So it would seem that our 78km non-stop North-South Corridor will eventually have 3 named components: (1) Southern Expressway; (2) North-South Motorway (between Darlington and PREXY); (3) Northern Expressway (assuming the Northern Connector becomes part of the Northern Expressway).

which is great, who would want to drive a trip along on SExy, Darlington int., Edwardstown Trenches, (making up names here) Galippoli Underpass, Mile End tunnel, TtT, Superway, NConn, NExy, when they could name it all the same and make it SExy, N-S Motorway, NExy.

On top of the new name, you might also have noticed the NSM is routed M2 (the same as SExy), so it's safe to say Darlington interchange will become M2 as well as TtT, assuming both are expressway standard.

Have also been thinking about where the on/off ramps for the North-South Motorway are likely to be. I suspect they will be very widely spaced, and only link to the most major arterial roads to minimise construction cost. I think PREXY, Regency Rd, Port Rd, Anzac Hwy, Ayliffes Rd and SEXY intersections.

I'd guess that the Port Road one would only be Southbound, northbound would exit at Grange Road and travel the short distance to Port Road. Along with this, I think Ayliffes to Cross and Anzac to Port is a bit far without many breaks (remember this is Adelaide, everyone will complain if there's not access points atevery point possible), perhaps Daws and SDB Drive/Henley Beach Road will also have exits.

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[ml69]

Have also been thinking about where the on/off ramps for the North-South Motorway are likely to be. I suspect they will be very widely spaced, and only link to the most major arterial roads to minimise construction cost. I think PREXY, Regency Rd, Port Rd, Anzac Hwy, Ayliffes Rd and SEXY intersections.

There is also a northbound onramp and a southbound offramp at Grand Junction Road on the Superway, and these partial access points will likely be built at other locations along the corridor.

I think you're right, it's very possible partial access points could be built at other locations, but I suspect these will be located where they support freight/commercial traffic rather than as a convenience for commuters.

Two locations that spring to mind are Cross Rd (to link to SE Freeway) and SDB Drive (to link to Airport). Possible north and southbound off ramps here?

[rhino]

Rhino, I understand the trench can continue under Torrens Rd in the future, but that's my point... It seems crazy not to add the maybe 100m - 200m or so of trenching the road underground now to achieve this. How much more could this possibly cost?

I don't know - how much does a trench cost to make, per metre or per 10 metres? And don't forget that going under Torrens Road will involve the purchase of many more properties on the western side of South Road, plus a bridge deck for Torrens Road, and possibly on-off ramps, because if the trench is extended, the next question will be "Why didn't they put on/off ramps at Torrens Road? It's crazy not to add them, how much extra would that have cost?"

I'm sure there is a valid reason for stopping where they have chosen to stop. Not sure what it is, but I'm sure it's there. Beyond Torrens Road is a swinging left-hand bend, perhaps this needs to be addressed in the next section?

[neoballmon]

Beyond Torrens Road is a swinging left-hand bend, perhaps this needs to be addressed in the next section?

I went around this curve last night, curious to see whatcould actually be done around it, and could only feel comfortable going just over 60. So they're definitely going to have to realign it a bit. My guess would be property acquisition, maybe two properties deep, and just making the curve slightly less sharp.

And speaking of properties, I was counting along the route, there were over 20 vacant blocks from just north of Torrens Road to the old Radio Rentals building, and a lot of these were double/triple/or larger lots. Was also another 3 houses at the Torrens Road end that are fenced off, ready for demolition.

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[Hooligan]

Just on the naming, Once Torrens to Torrens and Darlington are complete does that mean we will have 3 North-South Motorways?

[neoballmon]

Just on the naming, Once Torrens to Torrens and Darlington are complete does that mean we will have 3 North-South Motorways?

I imagine Darlington would be considered an extension of SExy, but I think there will be the two up the northern end.

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[rev]

Just on the naming, Once Torrens to Torrens and Darlington are complete does that mean we will have 3 North-South Motorways?

Given how it's going to be one long continuous road from the Northern Expressway to the Southern Expressway, the whole lot should be renamed and given one designation. They should also get the signage right. Some signs call it motorway, others refer to it as expressway.

How about calling it the Mike Rann Freeway?
How many naysayers and nimbys will that knock off with one stone?

[rhino]

I have suggested this before, but I'll post it again. The freeway conditions will extend from Nuriootpa on the Sturt Highway, to Old Noarlunga in the south. My suggestion is that it be called the Charles Sturt Freeway, as it begins on the Sturt Highway, and passes through the City of Charles Sturt on the way, and Charles Sturt was a major figure in South Australia's history.

[ChillyPhilly]

I agree, and one would expect that to be the logic. Perhaps I'm being a nitpicky pedantic, but in future an actual name for the completed road would be nice. I just find 'Northern, South Eastern, Southern etc.' to all sound dull. Call it the Charles Sturt Motorway or something.

EDIT: Didn't even see that post Rhino! Glad to see we think alike though!

[[Shuz]]

+3 for Charles Sturt Motorway. Should lodge a petition to DPTI for official renaming of the Northern & Southern Expressways, Torrens, Superway and Darlington sections all as one - with the M2 badge. I think it would help public perspective to see that all these pieces will connect together eventually.

[ChillyPhilly]

+3 for Charles Sturt Motorway. Should lodge a petition to DPTI for official renaming of the Northern & Southern Expressways, Torrens, Superway and Darlington sections all as one - with the M2 badge. I think it would help public perspective to see that all these pieces will connect together eventually.

Let's do it. Joint letter from S-A forum members

[david.c-s]

+3 for Charles Sturt Motorway. Should lodge a petition to DPTI for official renaming of the Northern & Southern Expressways, Torrens, Superway and Darlington sections all as one - with the M2 badge. I think it would help public perspective to see that all these pieces will connect together eventually.

Let's do it. Joint letter from S-A forum members

Great idea ... Let's face it the existing naming is a little haphazard and far from original .... And marketers say it's all in the brand and Charles Sturt has a ring to it