Torrens to Darlington Project gears up for main construction in 2024

South Australia’s North-South Corridor – Torrens to Darlington (T2D) Project has seen significant progress in 2023, laying the groundwork for a critically important 2024. 

“The Australian Government is committed to building safer, more efficient road networks by investing in major infrastructure projects like the T2D. 

“That’s why in the final quarter of 2023, the Australian Government confirmed the remaining $2.7 billion funding commitment for our contribution of 50 per cent of the project’s $15.4 billion budget,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said. 

Ground investigation works were carried out, which saw 700 boreholes drilled across an 18-kilometre span of the project route, to help inform the detailed design of the tunnels and lowered motorway. More than five kilometres of utilities have also been relocated to pave the way for the beginning of main construction activities. 

In January last year, procurement for the main construction works commenced and two consortia were shortlisted to deliver the T2D Project. The successful bidder will be announced in the third quarter of this year. 

Constuction of the Tonsley East substation also commenced in March 2023 and is expected to be completed in early 2024. The substation is being built, owned and will be operated by SA Power Networks. 

The Tonsley East substation is part of the project’s southern laydown area and it will supply electricity to the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) as well as to the two parallel 4.5-kilometre-long Southern Tunnels once they are completed in 2030. 

“The T2D project in Adelaide is the largest and most complex infrastructure project in South Australia’s history. 

“[2023] has been a massive year for the project, bringing us closer to the start of main construction works, 

“We are very confident the design we have developed will deliver great outcomes for motorists and local communities, such as improved travel times, improved safety, improved connectivity and network resilience, and enhanced liveability and opportunities for urban renewal. 

“Community consultation is critical to the T2D Project and we thank all residents and business owners for their feedback in 2023 – and we look forward to continuing to engage with the community in 2024,” SA Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Tom Koutsantonis said. 

Other works that were carried out in 2023 include resurfacing about three kilometres of South Road in both directions between Bennet Avenue, Melrose Park and Glengarry Avenue in Glandore, with the section from Rothesay Avenue to Lloyd Street, St Marys expected to be completed in late January 2024. 

Resurfacing works on South Road involved removing the existing pavement and replacing it with new asphalt. This will ensure long-term safety and integrity of the road prior to the beginning of main construction works. 

“I’ve received a lot of positive feedback from the community on the resurfacing of South Road that has already occurred, and am really looking forward to that work continuing in St Marys to ensure a smoother, safer surface,” State Member for Elder Nadia Clancy said. 

Project alignment (source: T2D Torrens to Darlington)

In addition, the first two of five interim noise walls have already been installed along an 850-metre section of York Avenue in Clovelly Park, with the remaining three noise walls to be installed by the end of this year. 

More interim noise walls will also be installed in other areas along the T2D alignment to minimise potential noise impacts for local residents and businesses. 

“I want to sincerely thank local residents for their patience and constructive feedback [in 2023]. 

“It’s not easy for those people who are in the midst of this major project and will be affected for years to come. 

“Residents in my area have contributed their local knowledge and insightful feedback on the design, which is leading to better outcomes for everyone,” State Member for Badcoe Jayne Stinson said. 

To provide better protection for pedestrians such as school children waiting to cross the road, the pedestrian crossing outside Black Forest Primary School has been upgraded. Concrete barriers and steel crash cushions were installed, replacing the old pedestrian fence and the pedestrian ramp was upgraded. 

This year, works to relocate Warriappendi School to a bigger and better location will be carried out along with moving the Torrensville Bowling Club to a new standalone home. 

A new dedicated central Community Information Centre has been opened at 290 South Road, Hilton where large information sessions and one-on-one meetings for interested stakeholders can be held. The centre features a range of interactive tools that will help people to further understand the Torrens to Darlington Project. 

“More than 6,000 face-to-face interactions, 95 stakeholder meetings and 31 community information sessions were held this year to gain community feedback on several areas of the project, including project design, local area traffic management and the Urban Design Strategy. 

“I encourage community members to drop in to the Community Information Centre at 290 South Road, Hilton to learn more about the project and provide further feedback,” Federal Member for Boothby Louise Miller-Frost said. 

The 10.5-kilometre T2D Project is the missing link and it is the most complex section of the North-South Corridor. 

The T2D Project includes: 

• Southern Tunnels 
  • Run between the open motorway at Darlington to just south of Anzac Highway in Glandore and provide key connectivity to Anzac Highway 
  • Includes about 4 kilometres of twin three-lane tunnels 
• Open motorway linking the tunnels 
  • Connecting to key routes such as Richmond Road and James Congdon Drive, it will provide critical east-west connectivity and links to key destinations such as the airport 
  • Just over 2.5 kilometres in length 
• Northern Tunnels 
  • Run between James Congdon Drive and the existing open motorway south of Grange Road 
  • Includes about 2.2 kilometres of twin three-lane tunnels 

Once completed, T2D will be more than 50 per cent tunnels. 

The North-South Corridor – Torrens to Darlington Project is estimated to support 5,500 jobs on average each year during its main construction phase – which is expected to begin in 2025. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; T2D Torrens to Darlington (1, 2, 3)