A community-led proposal to help preserve the historic character of Hahndorf's main street - while also improving access and road safety in and around the Adelaide Hills township - has been developed following extensive local engagement.
The Hahndorf Strategic Traffic Planning Study will inform the development of the $250 million Hahndorf Township Improvements and Access Upgrade, funded by the Australian and South Australian governments on an 80:20 basis.
The Hahndorf Strategic Traffic Planning Study was released for consultation earlier this year. It proposed three options to address traffic, safety, connectivity and liveability issues in and around Mount Barker Road, which runs through the middle of the picturesque town.
Following a review of the feedback and input from the local community, a fourth option has now been developed and the public is invited to have their say.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said local engagement was vital, as it was an investment in the community.
"The Australian Government is investing a record $110 billion in infrastructure across the country, helping to connect communities, improve safety, and create jobs," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
"This community-led planning will help to preserve the character of the historic town of Hahndorf, while delivering infrastructure locals need."
South Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Corey Wingard said community engagement was an integral part of the planning, design and delivery of the project.
"The development of this new option for Hahndorf is further evidence that when we ask for input from local communities, it is genuine engagement, and we listen to what they have to say," Minister Wingard said.
"We went to the community earlier this year with three different options and have now developed a new fourth option based directly on feedback from the public.
"This alternative proposal provides an efficient way for vehicles to bypass the main street while improving safety for the growing number of visitors accessing the township."
Around 11,000 vehicles use the main street each day, including 480 heavy vehicles. Two-thirds of weekday peak-hour traffic is trips to or from the south of the town and 300 peak-hour road users have no purpose in the main street of Hahndorf.
Currently, there is no convenient alternative route for freight vehicles travelling northbound or southbound through the local area, so they need to use Mount Barker Road.
Senator for South Australia Andrew McLachlan said that through the community feedback process it became clear there were some concerns with the three options proposed and their overall effectiveness.
"Respondents were concerned about property impacts and the potential for increased traffic on local roads and the importance of protecting Hahndorf's unique heritage and character was a consistent theme throughout the consultation," Senator McLachlan said.
"This new proposal addresses the concerns raised and we're now seeking further feedback to make sure we get it right. I'd like to thank everyone who provided feedback on the initial consultation and encourage you to give us your views on this new plan."
The new fourth option proposes a new interchange in the Paechtown area, including a new freeway underpass, new connector road between Mount Barker Road and Echunga Road, and on and off-ramps providing full access towards the east and west.
The proposal provides additional access to the freeway, includes safety and amenity upgrades for Hahndorf's main street, and a new shared use path connecting Verdun and Hahndorf.
It also includes east-facing ramps at the Verdun interchange. It does not require the construction of a new link road between Echunga Road and River Road, which responds to concerns raised in relation to access to Hahndorf Oval and recreation reserve in the feedback received on the other options.
