A major upgrade of the Mount Barker Interchange on the South Eastern Freeway will give drivers a safer and easier connection to and from nearby Adelaide Hills towns and consultation on the concept design kicks off shortly.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Corey Wingard said the $45 million project was part of the Marshall Liberal government's commitment to delivering the infrastructure improvements needed to support the area's urban and tourism growth.
"Each day around 36,700 vehicles use the interchange at the freeway, with traffic only expected to increase as new development continues across the Mount Barker area," Minister Wingard said.
"The upgrade of the Mount Barker Interchange will reduce congestion and improve connectivity between the freeway and Mount Barker and other Adelaide Hills towns for the thousands of motorists who travel to and from the city every day.
"It will improve access to the freeway, providing better traffic flow and easier access, including for emergency service vehicles.
"This project is a great example of the Morrison and Marshall governments working together and continuing to deliver record infrastructure investment across the state."
The upgrade is part of the $250 million Hahndorf Township Improvements and Access Upgrade project, funded by the Morrison and Marshall governments on an 80:20 basis.
Investigations and assessment of the options for the broader Hahndorf Township Improvements and Access Upgrade Project are still continuing and further consultation will be carried out.
The upgrade to the Mount Barker interchange is vital to support whichever option is selected. There is no private land impacted by the Mount Barker Interchange upgrade.
The Mount Barker Interchange upgrade includes:
- A new three-lane bridge over the South Eastern Freeway for northbound traffic with a dedicated right turn lane for access to the freeway via the eastbound on-ramp.
- Upgrade and conversion of the existing bridge to accommodate 3 lanes of southbound traffic with a dedicated right turn lane for access to the freeway via the westbound on-ramp.
- A new shared use path installed onto the existing bridge.
- Significant widening of the west-facing on and off-ramps to improve sight distance from the freeway to the off-ramp for eastbound traffic, provide an extra lane, and increase acceleration distance for the on-ramp for westbound traffic.
- New traffic signals at the intersection of Adelaide Road and the westbound on and off-ramps.
To provide feedback on the Mount Barker interchange upgrade concept design, please visit www.dit.sa.gov.au/hahndorf
