frequently asked questions and answers

UPDATED 9/7/2008

Q. Who is AdelaideConnect?

A. AdelaideConnect is the joint venture between Thiess Pty Ltd. and Leed Engineering and Construction, the construction contractors, who will build the underpass, after being awarded a construction contract by the State Government.

Q. Why are there 40km per hour speed restrictions through the intersection when there is no construction activity?

A. The temporary realignment of ANZAC Highway through the South Road intersection has seen changes to the existing road layout such as traffic lanes, traffic signal restrictions and median removal. The 40 km per hour speed limit is designed to ensure the safety of all motorists, pedestrians and cyclists during the temporary arrangements whilst construction activities continue on the southern half of the bridge deck and ANZAC Highway drainage works.

Q. Which local roads will be closed or partially closed on completion of the underpass?

A. Following careful consideration in the design, safety factors and feedback from the community and local councils a decision has been made to close Forest Street. Other adjoining roads will be closed temporarily allowing construction activities to continue.

Q. What has happened to the Kurralta Park Surgery?

A. The Kurralta Park Surgery has relocated to a new site on ANZAC Highway (corner of Warwick Avenue) near Centro Kurralta Shopping Centre in October 2007.  The specialist services, such as the physiotherapy and dental practices have also relocated to the new premises.

Q. How will the tramline bottleneck be addressed?

A. The South Road Upgrade - Glenelg Tram Overpass project was announced in the 2007-08 State budget as the next step towards the State Government’s plan to transform South Road into a continuous non-stop route from the Southern Expressway to the Port River Expressway.

The South Road Upgrade / ANZAC Highway Underpass is the first step, with construction of the Glenelg Tram Overpass to be completed and open within the same timeframe as the underpass. This will have the advantage of not disrupting the same community twice with major construction works.

The trams are expected to be operating on the new overpass in late 2009, to coincide with the South Road / Anzac Underpass opening for northbound and southbound traffic, with completion of the Underpass also scheduled for late 2009.

The South Road Upgrade – Glenelg Tram Overpass will accelerate the benefits to road users and the local community. Minimisation of interruptions to all traffic users, reduction of queue lengths at this intersection and increased safety for pedestrians are some of the key objectives of the project.

Q. When will major construction works begin on the underpass?

A. Construction activities started in July 2007 and are scheduled for completion by the end of 2009.

Construction works will take place in three stages:

• Stage 1: (July 2007 – Mid 2008).
• Stage 2: (Mid 2008 – Mid 2009).
• Stage 3: (Mid 2009 - End 2009).

Details of the construction activities to take place during stages 2 and 3 and how they will be managed will be widely publicised as soon as the staging of works have been finalised.

Stage 1 works include:

• erection of a site office on South Road between Mortimer and Basnett Streets, Kurralta Park;
• building the southern half of the 36m wide bridge deck;
• excavation work on South Road on both sides of the underpass to create a ‘drive through’; and
• installation of noise walls and other treatments to occur, parallel with construction at each stage.

Q. What works will occur as part of Stage 2 construction?

A. Stage 2 construction will be in place from early July 2008 until mid 2009 (approximately).

Key activities during Stage 2 will include:

• building the northern side of the bridge deck;
• stitching the two halves of the bridge deck together to form the ANZAC Highway ‘at grade’ bridge; and
• excavation of South Road from the northern side to complete the underpass.

By the end of Stage 2, motorists will be driving through the new underpass although the Project will not be fully complete until the end of Stage 3.

Q. What traffic restrictions will there be during Stage 2 constructions?

A. Throughout the course of Stage 2 construction the main traffic and access arrangements will include:

• Motorists making left turns from ANZAC Highway onto South Road will be using the new northbound entry ramp and then merging with the South Road traffic heading north. The northbound entry ramp will start near the Emergency Vet Hospital on ANZAC Highway.
• Access in and out of Tennyson Street from the northbound entry ramp will be available.
• No right turns from ANZAC Highway onto South Road – Stage 1 construction also included this traffic restriction which will be in place until the underpass is operational in mid to late 2009.
• No left turn from South Road onto ANZAC Highway (heading west to Glenelg)
• Only one left turn lane from ANZAC Highway onto South Road for southbound traffic.

Q. What measures will be taken to manage traffic restrictions and keep road users informed?

A. Speed limit restrictions of 40 km/h around the construction works zone, with some 25 km/h temporary limits around localised work areas when activities and workers are in close proximity to passing traffic, will be applied.

Variable Message Signs (VMS) will also be strategically placed along Anzac Highway and South Road to alert motorists of traffic condition changes.
Other measures include:

• advance notices to local residents and businesses, advising of any access restrictions;
• advertisements in the Saturday Advertiser and local Messenger newspapers when traffic may be disrupted on South Road and Anzac Highway;
• information available through the Project Enquiry Line: 1800 334 439 and from the project office at the Home Ideas Centre, corner of Anzac Highway and South Road Ashford; and
• information updates via the project website www.adelaideconnect.com.au and through quarterly Community Updates distributed to over 2500 properties around the South Road and Anzac Highway intersection.

Q.  Will we experience increased noise levels as a result of the underpass being built?

A. A project objective is to ensure that properties within the immediate vicinity of the underpass do not experience increased noise levels as a result of construction of the underpass, with a number of noise reduction measures being investigated.

Measurements of noise levels on various properties along South Road between Tennyson and Forest Streets have been taken. This information has been used to determine which individual residential properties may require noise mitigation treatments to ensure that noise levels are no greater than would be experienced had the project not proceeded.

A noise mitigation plan has been developed. It details the exact location and type of noise mitigation measures that are recommended.

Q. What will be done about the impact of noise on residents during construction and after the underpass is built?

A. Recommended treatments may vary from property to property.  A common approach would be to provide 3.0m precast concrete high noise wall for the closest residential properties on the western side of South Road between Forest and Tennyson Streets. Colorbond or similar fencing of up to 2.1m for residential properties on the eastern side of South Road may also be provided to some properties where required. Other noise mitigation treatments will also be considered on an individual basis, where a fence is impractical.
Construction activities will generally take place during the day. Residents and businesses will be kept well informed in advance of any night works occurring. Any night works will meet the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) standards to ensure that noise impacts on nearby residences will be minimised.

Q. What will happen to the businesses located around the South Road and Anzac Highway intersection?

A. It will be “BUSINESS AS USUAL” for the business owners on South Road and Anzac Highway around the intersection while construction of the underpass gets underway and progresses over the next two years.  
The project team is working closely with businesses to promote the continued operation of these businesses right through the construction phase.

Q. How do I access the car parks for the businesses on the south east corner of the intersection?

A. Signage showing access in the businesses on the corner of South Road and ANZAC Highway has been erected on all approaches to the intersection.  Car parking if available via the Roxy Centre / Blockbuster Video car park off ANZAC Highway and the Pine City / GasWorks car park off Orchard Avenue.

Q. What changes will be made to bus stop locations and routes during construction?

A. Some temporary changes to bus stop locations will be necessary during the different stages of construction.

Some changes to bus stop arrangements, implemented as part of the Stage 2 construction plan include:

• Bus stop 5 on the north western side of South Road near Basnett Street has been removed.
• Bus stop 5 on the north eastern side of South Road has been shifted just to the north of Tyson Street.
• Bus stop 6A on the south western side of South Road has been shifted further south towards the tram line adjacent to the pedestrian refuge.
• Bus stop 5A on the north western side of ANZAC Highway has been temporarily moved directly adjacent to its current location, closer to the southern side of ANZAC Highway.

These temporary bus stop locations will be in place for up to 12 months through Stage 2 construction works.

To view a map detailing where the bus stops are located throughout Stage 2, click here.

With the proposed changes to Tennyson Street access (left in and left out only) the Passenger Transport Division has indicated that the route for the 241 bus be changed to travel on Everard Avenue, Ashford, over South Road and onto Barwell Avenue, turning left onto Beauchamp Street and right out onto Tennyson Street, Kurralta Park. The trip back into the city, follows the same route in reverse. The City of West Torrens is currently considering the proposed route change. All residents will be notified in advance of any changes to the bus route being made later in the year.

Q. How will pedestrians have access around the intersection during Stage 2 construction works?

A. Pedestrians will be able to cross:

• ANZAC Highway on the eastern side of South Road, Ashford using traffic signals at the intersection and at the pedestrian refuge west of Grosvenor Street, Glandore
• South Road on the southern side of ANZAC Highway using traffic signals at the intersection and at the pedestrian refuge north of Norman Terrace (near the tramline)
• At the traffic signals at Everard and Barwell Avenues.

To view a map showing all pedestrian access arrangements during Stage 2 construction of the underpass, click here.

Q. What cyclist access will be provided around the intersection during Stage 2 construction works?

A. A dedicated cycle lane will be provided for cyclists heading west on ANZAC Highway through the intersection across South Road. When heading east on ANZAC Highway, cyclists will be required to use the outer left lane when approaching the intersection on South Road.
To view a map showing all cyclist access arrangements during Stage 2 construction of the underpass, click here.

Q. How will groundwater and the potential for flooding be addressed through the design process?

A. Drainage of stormwater and any groundwater from the underpass will require pumping as the underpass road level will be lower than the existing stormwater drains. The drainage system has been designed to deal with high rainfall conditions and there will be backups in case of mechanical or electrical problems.

The Project Team will ensure that the design meets the requirements of the Environmental Protection Authority, Department for Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation and the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board.

Q. How can I get more information about the project?

A. If you require more information, have an enquiry about the project or would like to join our mailing list please:

• visit our website: www.adelaideconnect.com.au
• call the Project Team on the Project Enquiry Line: 1800 334 439.
• join our mailing list so that we can send you current updates and latest news. Simply lodge a comment or enquiry and let us know your preferred method of contact (post or mail). Join now by clicking here
• visit the Project Information Centre at the Home Ideas Centre, on the corner of Anzac Highway and South Road Ashford. Project information, including the stage 2 construction plan and a visualisation ‘drive through’ model of how the underpass will work are available seven days a week.