SA Main Road safety upgrade progresses towards construction

Concept designs for the Main Road, Cherry Gardens project in South Australia have been released, making this the first design to be released as part of the Adelaide Hills Productivity and Road Safety (PRS) Package. 

Feedback from the community as well as local road users have helped shape the concept designs for the Main Road upgrade project. 

The $150 million PRS Package is jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian Governments, each contributing $120 million and $30 million respectively. 

“The Australian Government is proud to be working with the South Australian Government to deliver the Adelaide Hills Productivity and Road Safety Package, targeting key locations for vital improvements. 

“This region is also home to some of the most populat and picturesque tourist destinations in the state, meaning these upgrades will also deliver a safer journey for those visiting the region – supporting local tourism operators and keeping our economy moving. 

“I look forward to seeing this concept and others under the PRS take shape as we help deliver these transformational projects,” Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said. 

The program will deliver a range of road improvements that will not only improve road safety but will also increase fire resilience and support economic growth in the region. 

The first phase of community engagement for the package was conducted in 2022 where feedback on the proposed road improvements were sought from the community. Local insights collected from the community engagement sessions were utilised to inform the concept designs for the road upgrades, which will be shared with the community for more feedback as the design process progresses. 

The previous community engagement garnered 229 responses and their main concern was the quality of road surface and narrow lane widths on key corridors. 

“I’d like to thank all community members and road users who attended community drop on sessions, completed surveys and sent emails and online submissions to provide feedback as part of the Adelaide Hills Productivity and Road Safety Package. 

“This feedback has been pivotal in the development of the concept design for Main Road, Cherry Gardens, which will improve safety, heavy vehicle access and the long-term integrity of the road,” SA Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Tom Koutsantonis said. 

Main Road, Cherry Gardens project map (source: Department for Infrastructure and Transport)

The proposed upgrades on Main Road following the consultation period will now include: 

• Road and curve widening – to provide greater separation between vehicles and cyclists, allow two trucks to safely pass while travelling in opposite directions and improve sight distances 
• New road surface – removal of existing surface and replacement with new asphalt to improve skid resistance and road safety 

Construction on the Main Road project – between Black Road and Chandlers Hill Road – is anticipated to begin later this year. 

“I promised my community that Labor would deliver a safety upgrade of Main Road, Cherry Gardens, and I am pleased to now progress that commitment with the release of this concept design. 

“Residents have long advocated for improvements along this important but dangerous stretch of road. 

“Road safety is high on my agenda, and the State and Federal Governments are working to ensure that Main Road, Cherry Gardens offers an improved experience for all road users. 

“I extend my thanks to all residents that participated in the initial phase of consultation and look forward to working closely with my community as we deliver this important upgrade,” State Member for Davenport Erin Thompson MP said. 

Adelaide Hills PRS Package map (source: Department for Infrastructure and Transport)

Feedback from phase one of community engagement will also be used to develop concept plans for other key road projects under the PRS Program, including: 

• Main Road – Edgecumbe Parade, Blackwood to Black Road, Coromandel Valley 
• Kangarilla Road /Dashwood Gully Road – Clarendon to Meadows 
• North East Road / Torrens Valley Road – Houghton to Mount Pleasant 
• Norton Summit Road / Lobethal Road / Mount Torrens Road – Teringie to Mount Torrens 
• Mount Barker Road / Strathalbyn Road – Stirling to Strathalbyn 
• Onkaparinga Valley Road – Birdwood to Verdun 
• Long Valley Road – Wistow to Strathalbyn 

Investigations are also underway for the works at the intersection of Junction Road and Jones Road as well as Onkaparinga Valley, Narine and Junction roads in Balhannah. 

Some projects under the Adelaide Hills PRS Package have been identified as more urgent or are in advanced stages of planning and design. 

Works on the Onkaparinga Valley, Clarendon and Lobethal road corridors – which were identified for immediate road surface upgrades – are set to begin this month. 

On the other hand, asphalting works on Main Road between Edgecumbe Parade and Black Road were completed in December 2022. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Government of South Australia – Department for Infrastructure and Transport (1, 2); Glam Adelaide; Big Rigs