Infrastructure: Southern Expressway officially operational – both ways
After 15 years South Australia’s 18.5km one-way expressway will finally flow both ways.
Premier Jay Weatherill and Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan will open the 18.5km dual-stretch of road this afternoon completing a $407 million upgrade.
“Commuters will now save up to 13 minutes each way when travelling between South Road and Noarlunga, McLaren Vale and to the broader Fleurieu Peninsula,” Mr Weatherill said.
“More than 1800 workers have worked on the project over the past two and a half years, and they have done a wonderful job in sometimes trying conditions, and I thank them for their efforts.
“Now open both ways, traffic on other main roads in the area will be reduced.”
Overall the project has included:
- more than 1,422,000 direct hours of work by the 1870 people involved
- nearly 90 per cent of workers from South Australia and nearly 60 per cent from the southern suburbs
- 20 bridge structures constructed, extended or duplicated.
- 250,000 tonnes of asphalt laid
- 8,326 m³ of concrete used
- 1,403 tonnes of steel used in the bridge structures and retaining walls
Mr Mullighan said the project was a success and addressed a long-standing embarrassment for South Australia.
“Today we are putting behind us the myopic decision to construct a one-way expressway,” Mr Mullighan said.
Mr Mullighan also said the duplication also showed the Government’s commitment to infrastructure.
“Today’s opening – a key part of the North-South corridor – complements the billions of dollars being invested by this Government across the state to improve our road, rail and tram services, and create jobs for South Australians.
“People living in Adelaide’s south won’t have to check the clock when heading to their jobs, education, shopping and community facilities, and nor will people wanting to enjoy the magnificent Fleurieu Peninsula, southern beaches and McLaren Vale wine region.”
Source: News Release Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan, 03 August 2014
http://www.premier.sa.gov.au/images/news_releases/14_08August/expresswayopen.pdf