Work to begin soon on James Congdon Dr & Sir Donald Bradman Dr upgrade

The James Congdon Drive and Sir Donald Bradman Drive upgrade in Adelaide, South Australia is a step closer to construction with the release of new concept designs. 

This project is part of an $850 million package of works jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian Governments as part of the River Torrens to Darlington (T2D) Project. 

The upgrade will deliver three right turn lanes to make it easier and quicker to get from South Road straight to the city. 

“It’s exciting to be able to announce another project as part of the broader network upgrades, as we continue to roll out more intersection upgrades along and around the River Torrens to Darlington Project. 

“By delivering more through lanes and turning lanes onto Sir Donald Bradman Drive, we’re making it easier to get from South Road straight to the city. 

“This intersection upgrade – particularly the introduction of right turn movements towards the CBD from James Congdon Drive – is critical for the operation of the T2D motorway. 

“Road users will not only benefit from better connectivity as a result of this project in the short term, but also once the T2D Project is complete, as James Congdon Drive will be a crucial route onto and off the T2D motorway,” Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Tom Koutsantonis said. 

Key features of the $40 million upgrade include: 

• Additional right turn lane, shared with third through lane from James Congdon Drive onto Sir Donald Bradman Drive (westbound) 

• Additional through lane (westbound) on Sir Donald Bradman Drive 

• Extended left turn slip lane from Sir Donald Bradman Drive onto James Congdon Drive (southbound) 

• Additional city-bound through lane on Sire Donald Bradman Drive 

• A new link road connecting Rosslyn Street to James Congdon Drive 

This project will also deliver pedestrian and cyclist safety improvements, including new crossings within the intersection, alongside new shared use paths on Sir Donald Bradman Drive (westbound) and James Congdon Drive (southbound) between Railway Terrace and the entrance of Mile End south shopping precinct. 

Upgrades will also be carried out on the existing footpath to the shared use path on James Congdon Drive. 

Project concept design map (source: SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport)

On average, the intersection of James Congdon Drive and Sir Donald Bradman Drive is used by approximately 49,000 vehicles daily. 

From 2019 to 2023, this intersection saw 22 crashes, including 14 rear end crashes. 

Investigation works will be carried out in and around the intersection in the coming months to help inform the design, with main works to follow suit. The intersection is expected to open to traffic in early 2026. 

Once completed, the upgraded intersection will improve network connectivity while providing more options for motorists heading into the city – reducing peak hour delays in the area by 30 per cent. 

The upgrade is expected to support 165 full-time equivalent jobs during the construction phase. 

Community members can provide feedback on the concept design as well as ask the project team questions about the upgrade when they visit the T2D Community Information Centre at 290 South Road in Hilton. 

“This upgrade is great news for motorists from Adelaide’s western suburbs, as they will finally be able to turn right from James Congdon Drive onto Sir Donald Bradman Drive heading towards the city. 

“I’m also extremely pleased to see a strong focus on pedestrian and cyclist safety on this project, with new shared-use paths to be installed on James Congdon Drive and Sir Donald Bradman Drive. 

“I encourage community members to visit the T2D Community Information Centre at 290 South Road, Hilton to learn more about the project and have their say on the concept design,” Federal Member for Adelaide Steve Georganas said. 

Source: Government of South Australia – News; Government of South Australia – Department for Infrastructure and Transport (1, 2); Infrastructure Magazine