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Q) What are some of the early construction activities to take place in preparation for construction of the underpass?
A) Some preliminary construction activities started on 9 July 2007and will continue for several months. These works include the relocation of services infrastructure, such as telecommunications, gas, electricity and water services and the replacement of stormwater culverts on ANZAC Highway and Brown Hill Creek. Some temporary traffic diversions will be necessary for some of these activities; however traffic flow on South Road and ANZAC Highway is not expected to be significantly affected by these early works. Emergency Services have been consulted about the construction staging and access for these services will be maintained at all times.
Q) When will the acquired vacant properties all be demolished?
A) Demolition of the properties acquired along the section of South Road between Forest and Tennyson Streets will be completed, with the exception of the Kurralta Park Surgery, by the end of July 2007. The Kurralta Park Surgery will remain in its present location until it moves to newly built premises in October 2007 (approximately).
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:
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:
Q) Which local roads will be closed or partially closed on completion of the underpass?
A) A final decision on the closure or partial closure of local roads will be made in the near future, following careful consideration to safety factors, and feedback from the community and local councils.
A final design is expected to be released for public viewing at a date to be advised in August/September 2007. This final design will illustrate all partial or full road closures that will occur on completion of the underpass.
Q) Will there be traffic restrictions during Stage 1 construction?
A) South Road will have two lanes of traffic operating in both directions at most times during this period. City bound motorists travelling on Anzac Highway will continue to have three lanes and outbound traffic travelling from the City on Anzac Highway will be reduced to two lanes. Two southbound left-hand turning lanes from Anzac Highway onto South Road will be maintained.
The major change to traffic arrangements during stage one is that no right-hand turns will be permitted from Anzac Highway onto South Road, in both directions.
Temporary traffic diversions will be in place around Brown Hill Creek on South Road, while another large culvert is constructed next to the existing one. Two lanes of traffic will be provided in both directions, through a minor realignment on South Road.
Some construction activities may require the temporary closure or part closure of local street access to South Road; however, this will only occur in co-operation with local councils and with advance notice to residents.
During July and August 2007, when Telstra services are being relocated, some additional temporary traffic restrictions will occur at various locations on South Road and Anzac Highway near the intersection. These works will occur during off-peak times.
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:
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 is happening to the Kurralta Park Surgery?
A) The Kurralta Park Surgery will relocate to a new site on ANZAC Highway (corner of Warwick Avenue) near Centro Kurralta shopping centre. It is understood that the physiotherapy and dental practices will also be relocating to the new premises. This community facility will be maintained in its current location until the new surgery is ready, in approximately October 2007.
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.
Additional road signage will be installed to identify clearly how motorists can get access to the business centre car park off Orchard Avenue, Everard Park.
Q) How will the tramline bottleneck be addressed?
A) The South Australian Government has announced that a tram overpass will be designed and built within the next two years, in the same timeframe as construction of the Anzac Highway underpass. The tramline overpass will enhance the flow of traffic on one of the busiest commuter routes.
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. The stage 1 construction plan featured in the July Community Update shows the location of both the existing bus stop locations and all temporary bus stop locations for the next 12 months period.
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 pedestrian and cyclists have access while construction works are in place?
A) Provision shall be made for cycling through the signalised intersection at the surface, consistent with the designated role and function of the respective roads and taking into account existing facilities on adjacent roads.
Footpaths will be provided on either side of South Road and on each side of ANZAC Highway for pedestrian access. The needs of users with disabilities will be accommodated through the duration of the project and beyond.
All cycle paths and footpaths will provide connectivity with existing paths and will be consistent with current and proposed plans for both the City of West Torrens and the City of Unley.
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) 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) 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:
Ongoing project planning work will continue to be undertaken over the next one to two years. The department anticipates, at this stage, that construction works will not start on this project for at least another three years.
Anzac Hwy Underpass