South Australians will enjoy safer and faster journeys between some of the state's favourite getaway destinations, with all four lanes of the new Main South Road and Victor Harbor Road duplications opening to traffic.
All four lanes on Victor Harbor Road between Main South Road and the McLaren Vale turn off will open tomorrow, while all four lanes on Main South Road between Seaford and Port Road, Aldinga are set to open this week, giving holidaymakers, visitors and locals alike a much-improved travel experience around the regions.
All lanes on the new Tatachilla and Pedler Creek bridges are now also open to traffic, helping to keep traffic flowing smoothly over Main South Road. The four lane Pedler Creek Bridge is one of the largest pieces of infrastructure of the 9.8-kilometre Main South Road duplication.
As well as improving traffic flow for drivers travelling south, the projects have boosted the state's economy, supporting around 945 full-time jobs each year during construction. This has included up to 30 apprentice and traineeship opportunities, with a 99 per cent South Australian workforce.
Across both projects, 11.7 kilometres of road pavement was laid, 99,250 tonnes of asphalt and 5,640 metres of drainage was installed, and nine kilometres of shared use path has been built.
Maps are available on the website to provide an understanding of the new road network and how traffic is flowing through the new intersections.
Works to continue in 2024 include the installation of the final asphalt wearing course, line marking, median kerbing, barrier installation, traffic signal modifications, shared use path works, landscaping and street lighting. Speed and lane restrictions will be in place during these works, with some closures and detours required in 2024.
In addition, speed restrictions will remain in place along Main South Road and Victor Harbor Road until the bitumen has been sufficiently worn on the new road surface. This can be approximately four to six weeks, depending on traffic volumes and weather.
The $685 million project, delivered by the Fleurieu Connections Alliance, is funded by the South Australian and Australian governments.
Works will continue around Port Road on Main South Road with Stage 2 of the Main South Road Duplication project in the final stages of the planning process. Early works are currently underway and updated concepts will be shared with the community in early 2024. To stay up to date please visit www.dit.sa.gov.au.
As put by Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
"The opening of these highway duplications is great news for South Australians heading into this year's holiday period, offering not just faster but also safer journeys this summer.
"Projects such as this one show the Albanese Labor Government's commitment to improving road infrastructure, especially for rapidly growing regions such as the Fleurieu Peninsula.
"Our Government is proud to be enabling nationally significant projects such as this, whilst also delivering local jobs to South Australia."
As put by South Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Tom Koutsantonis:
"As we head into summer, the opening of the newly-duplicated sections of Main South Road and Victor Harbor Road is great news for the thousands of holiday makers who will be heading to this popular region over the coming months.
"Around 26,000 motorists travel on Main South Road each day, and around 18,600 on Victor Harbor Road. These duplication projects provide critical infrastructure that will result in safer and faster journeys for motorists and provide a vital boost for local tourism and communities.
"The projects have provided opportunities for local workers, businesses, supply chain partners and contractors, from construction and civil works companies to local bakeries and printers.
"We've also worked with local agricultural and viticultural communities to create the infrastructure they need, and the new shared use path being built along Main South Road will provide safer and better access for cyclists and pedestrians.
"It's fantastic to see these projects reach this milestone, and as minor works, planting and landscaping alongside the roads are finished over the coming months, traveling to, from and around the Fleurieu Peninsula will be a much safer and more enjoyable experience for everyone."
As put by Federal Member for Kingston Amanda Rishworth:
"The opening of these road duplications is brilliant news for South Australia, and I'm proud that our government has been able to support the economy here through the creation of hundreds of local jobs.
"This project also supports local farmers, cyclists and pedestrians with its inclusion of a new shared use and agricultural machinery underpass to improve safety and access.
"The Albanese Labor Government is committed to supporting our tourism and wine regions by building the infrastructure projects that will improve connectivity across our state."
As put by State Member for Mawson Leon Bignell:
"This momentous occasion has been a long time coming because of three years of delays under the former Liberal government.
"We announced the full duplication of Main South Road in June 2017 after one of the best local community campaigns I have ever seen.
"Credit for this project needs to go to Craig Curtis, Dale Grimmond, Fred Shields and the rest of the Main South Rd Action Group.
"Sick and tired of the deadly and near fatal crashes on the stretch of road they began a campaign in 2016 for improvements.
"They were tireless in their efforts and constructive in their thinking and put forward plenty of ideas to people like me, Peter Malinauskas, Tom Koutsantonis and Stephen Mullighan.
"I am absolutely certain that this upgrade would not have happened without their hard work and the funding by a Labor government that listened to their concerns and acted."
As put by Craig Curtis, Main South Road Action Group
"For seven years the Main South Road Action Group has worked with the community and this government - for this moment.
"It is a very exciting time for the people of the Fleurieu Peninsula and it goes to show what can be achieved when you work with your Member of Parliament."
