Concept design finalised & works to begin on $120m Majors Road Interchange

With the concept design now finalised, major works can commence on the $120 million Southern Expressway and Majors Road Interchange project in South Australia. 

In response to community feedback and additional technical analysis, the project’s concept design was refined, and it will now include the widening of Majors Road from the Southern Expressway to Lonsdale Highway/Ocean Boulevard to provide two traffic lanes in both directions. 

“SA is building – and we are proud to be honouring yet another election commitment, delivering this important infrastructure to benefit South Australians in Adelaide’s southern suburbs. 

“Majors Road is an integral part of our road network in Adelaide’s south and we’re happy to see works begin on an upgrade that will improve the experience for everyone using the road. 

“Projects like the Majors Road Interchange help the smooth and safe running of our road network, and we thank motorists and locals for their patience while we complete these works,” Premier Peter Malinauskas said. 

Power lines will also be moved underground on this section of road, providing further opportunities for increased landscaping and tree planting along Majors Road. 

The final design will also include tree planting for the shared user path along Majors Road, which will help achieve 50 per cent shade coverage once the trees are fully grown. 

Another key change to the design is the realignment of the Patrick Jonker Veloway to the east of the new on/off ramps under Majors Road to improve sightlines. 

The design refinements have further reduced the impact on the Glenthorne National Park – Ityamaiitpinna Yarta, and continues to have no impact on Glenthorne Farm or O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park. 

“... we are achieving this project with absolutely minimal impact on Glenthorne National Park – Ityamaiitpinna Yarta – and none on Glenthorne Farm. 

“In fact, Friends of Glenthorne have been vocal supporters of our approach – which includes establishing a new nursery and garden area located in the Riding for the Disabled Association’s Majors Road premises. 

“The integration of shared use paths and improvements to the Patrick Jonker Veloway will enhance the area for cyclists and pedestrians. 

“The integration of tree planting as part of the new design provides important shade coverage – a significant priority for Adelaide infrastructure,” SA Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Tom Koutsantonis said. 

Concept design of Majors Road Interchange (source: SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport)

The $120 million Majors Road Interchange project is jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian governments, each contributing $60 million. 

Majors Road is an important arterial road that provides a key connection between Lonsdale Road and Main South Road for up to 13,200 vehicles a day. 

The project will deliver new on/off ramps for the Southern Expressway, which will carry about 74,000 vehicles per day between Darlington and the Reynella Interchange. 

“This significant investment by the Australian Government to provide crucial access to the Southern Expressway for commuters in southern Adelaide and improve safety, reduce travel times and support jobs and the local economy. 

“Traffic flow across Adelaide’s south will be greatly enhanced due to the Southern Expressway and Majors Road Interchange, which the Australian Government is proud to be jointly funding in partnership with the South Australian Government,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said. 

Once completed, the upgrade will enable commuters in the southern suburbs to have greater access to the Southern Expressway as well as improve access to Glenthorne National Park – Ityamaiitpinna Yarta, Riding for the Disabled, Sam Willoughby International BMX Facility and Southern Soccer Facility from the Southern Expressway. 

Artist impression of the shared path (source: Government of South Australia)

To allow for works to be carried out safely, short-term closures of Majors Road will be observed while the Southern Expressway will have localised speed restrictions. 

In July of last year, Acciona Construction Australia was awarded the contract to design and build the Majors Road Interchange project.

The Majors Road Interchange project is due to be completed by the end of 2025, and it is expected to support approximately 245 jobs annually.

“I’m pleased to see joint funding between the Australian and South Australian governments providing improved and increased connections and travel flow at the new Majors Road Interchange,” Federal Member for Kingston Amanda Rishworth said. 

“I’m excited to see the progress on this interchange. Giving southern commuters direct access to the Southern Expressway will take commuter traffic off Brighton Road, meaning a shorter, safer trip for everyone,” Federal Member for Boothby Louise Miller-Frost said. 

“It’s particularly gratifying that this project is providing additional benefits and exposure for organisations such as Riding for the Disabled Association and the Friends of Glenthorne – whose endorsement shows just how hard we’ve worked to minimise any impact on Glenthorne National Park,” State Member for Davenport Erin Thompson said. 

Source: Premier of South Australia – Media Releases; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Government of South Australia – Department for Infrastructure and Transport; Roads & Infrastructure Australia