First major traffic switch marks Torrens to Torrens milestone

The North-South Corridor Torrens Road to River Torrens project will mark its first major milestone when traffic moves to new surface roads in preparation for the upgrade of two major intersections.

Federal Minister for Major Projects Paul Fletcher said the reconfiguration of traffic would allow for the next major stage of the $896 million project.

“An upgraded North-South Road Corridor will improve freight transport productivity in Adelaide and contribute to enhanced productivity and increased competitiveness for export industries,” Mr Fletcher said.

“Next year across Australia, the Commonwealth Government will invest more in transport infrastructure in a single year than ever before in our nation's history.

“90 projects are under construction and work on another 83 will start soon.

“Infrastructure is at the centre of the Turnbull Government’s agenda to drive jobs and growth in a 21st Century knowledge economy.”

Access to South Road from Grange Road and Manton Street will be closed this weekend ahead of a traffic switch next Monday, to allow for the upgrades to begin.

The Port Road intersection will be closed at the end of April to allow for a similar reconfiguration.

Motorists are being warned to plan well in advance to avoid the construction zones during these times.

Changing the traffic conditions at these intersections will allow for works to start on new bridges at Grange and Port roads, spanning a non-stop South Road motorway to be constructed later in the project.

During this weekend’s closure at of Grange Road and Manton Street, a temporary roundabout will be constructed with traffic signals installed.

This will allow for northbound traffic on Grange Road to be switched to a new surface road on the western side of the site on Monday morning.

Similarly the intersection of Port and South roads will close on April 30 and May 1 for the intersection to be restructured to allow traffic to be switched to a new surface road on Monday, May 2.

These closures will cause major disruptions to weekend traffic so it is vital that motorists plan ahead and find alternative routes.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan said the more than 330 people were now working on-site, with more than 2200 hours performed by former Holden workers since the project commenced.

“More than $68 million of work packages have also been awarded to sub-contractors with 95 percent of that going to South Australian companies,” Mr Mullighan said.

Grange Road and Manton Road will be closed at the South Road intersection on April 9 and 10 and will reopen on Monday, April 11.

Once reopened the existing traffic movements will be available in all directions at the new temporary roundabout with traffic signals operating.

The right turn into Manton Street from South Road will be permitted at all times, providing improved access to Hindmarsh.

The Port Road intersection will be closed on April 30 and May 1, reopening on Monday, May 2.

Once reopened, right turns from South Road into Port Road will be banned and traffic will need to use the new signalised U-turn facilities on Port Road.

“We ask all road users to slow down and familiarise themselves with the new traffic conditions when each of the intersections re-open,” Mr Mullighan said.

The Australian and South Australian Governments have each committed $448 million to the North-South Corridor Torrens Road to River Torrens Project, supporting about 480 jobs a year during construction.

More information is available at the Torrens to Torrens website.