One of Australia’s largest infrastructure projects – the River Torrens to Darlington (T2D) Project – is gearing up for major construction as the South Australian community is invited to have their say on a landmark report that highlights more ways for the project to deliver lasting benefits to the community.
The Project Assessment Report (PAR) for the $15.4 billion North-South Corridor T2D Project provides details on the extensive technical investigations, assessments and planning work that was carried out as well as the potential impacts and opportunities during project construction and operations.
“I’m proud the Australian and South Australian governments are working together to build the ambitious North-South Corridor – Torrens to Darlington Project.
“This Project Assessment Report is an incredibly detailed and complex piece of work that shows the behind-the-scenes activity on this world-leading project,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said.
Works undertaken as part of the PAR were vital in obtaining a detailed understanding of the project area and this will be used to inform project decisions.
The PAR covers a wide range of topics including social elements, land use planning and zoning, surface water, impacts on businesses, traffic and transport conditions, noise and vibration, air quality, sustainability, potential site contamination, health, landscape and visual amenity, geology and ground water, ecology, and Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage.
“The release of the PAR is a major milestone for the T2D project and I encourage locals to have their say to contribute to long-lasting benefits to the community.
“The importance of assessing social and environmental factors cannot be understated, as the River Torrens to Darlington project is the largest and most complex project in the state’s history.
“It’s critical that we have an excellent understanding of the project area to guide and inform great outcomes for our community,” SA Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Tom Koutsantonis said.
A comprehensive face-to-face engagement campaign with the community and stakeholders will be held over the next five weeks to help broaden understanding of the project as well as to gain local insights that are not included in the PAR.
Community members can share their insights at pop-up information stalls at Kurralta Central in Kurralta Park, Brickworks Marketplace in Torrensville, and Castle Plaza Shopping Centre in Edwardstown. A PAR information session will also be carried out at the new T2D Community Information Centre at 290 South Road, Hilton. More information on the pop-up stalls and the PAR information sessions can be found here.
Prospective contractors have been provided with the project assessments along with community insights gathered from previous community consultation as part of the tender process. Meanwhile, information gathered from the current consultation process will be used to progress further detailed planning and design, and for identifying the most suitable mitigation measures.
In addition to the community consultation, plans have also been unveiled for an upgraded four-way intersection across South Road as part of works that will allow for smoother operation of the road network once T2D is completed.
The plans include re-routing Raglan Avenue traffic north via a new road link that creates an upgraded four-way intersection with Edward Street. The new link road will be built as part of the Raglan Avenue, Edward Street and South Road network upgrade to remove the ‘dogleg’ movement of traffic between Edward Street and Raglan Avenue.
“Broader network upgrades such as this one are a fantastic initiative – we're delivering yet another important network upgrade near the River Torrens to Darlington Project, all while supporting around 300 jobs a year.
“We have already seen the construction of the Selgar Avenue link road and the announcement of the realignment of the Grange Road, Holbrooks Road and East Avenue intersection, and now we are excited to announce the upgrade of Raglan Avenue, Edward Street and South Road,” Minister Koutsantonis said.
This $35 million project is one of the several intersection upgrades included in the broader T2D Project, which will also include works to upgrade the intersections of Edward Street, Raglan Avenue and Price Street with South Road.
The Price Street and South Road intersection is going to be upgraded by installing traffic signals, pedestrian crossing and right-hand turn access lane into Castle Plaza Shopping Centre from South Road – which will preserve Price Street as a residential zone.
Opportunities for upgrades to amenity, road treatments, pedestrian crossing points, integrated connections and cycle paths, and indented bus bays will also be provided as part of the Connecting Edwardstown project.
Main works on the intersection upgrades are expected to begin in early 2025 and completed later that same year.
“My community will be incredibly excited to see this notorious intersection improved.
“By re-routing Raglan Avenue traffic via a new road link north, a safe and direct link will be created between Edward Street and Raglan Avenue, improving safety and congestion – which will minimise the frustrating wait to turn onto South Road.
“This should also ease pressure on other connection points, such as Cross Road.
“Community members can visit the T2D Community Information Centre at 290 South Road, Hilton to learn more about what this project means, and to have their say on the concept plan,” Member for Elder Nadia Clancy said.
Furthermore, a new scale model of a tunnel boring machine (TBM) is now on display at the T2D Community Information Centre in Hilton to give the public a glimpse of the magnitude of the tunnelling works required to build the project.
The River Torrens to Darlington Project will deliver the remaining 10.5 kilometre section of the North-South Corridor, completing the 78-kilometre non-stop, traffic light-free motorway between Gawler and Old Noarlunga.
Once open to traffic, motorists will be able to bypass 21 sets of traffic lights while travelling through two separate tunnels that are connected by an open motorway.
Main construction works on the T2D Project are anticipated to commence in 2025, with tunnelling on the Southern Tunnels planned to begin in 2026. The Southern Tunnels are due to open to traffic in 2030, following further tunnel fit-out and commissioning.
The entire T2D Project is set to be up and running in 2031.
“South Australia is building – the momentum is undeniable.
“And the centrepiece of this big build is the completed North-South Corridor, with the River Torrens to Darlington Project the final piece of this complex puzzle.
“The scale of this project is something we have never seen before in this state – and we are doing it right, first time.
“That means not only getting free flow of traffic from north to south, but establishing east-west connections that will allow commuters to move more quickly and easily across the corridor.
“The project we are announcing today will help keep Edwardstown connected – it is sorely needed, and we are delighted to be able to share these plans with the public,” Premier Peter Malinauskas said.
Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Premier of South Australia – Media Releases (1, 2); T2D Torrens to Darlington (1, 2, 3, 4); Infrastructure Magazine