Adelaide’s Northern Connector project due to commence next year
The Commonwealth and South Australian governments last week said they are investing $985 million to build the Northern Connector project as part of a shared plan to deliver a fully upgraded North-South Corridor in a decade.
The Northern Connector will involve construction of a new six lane 15.5 kilometre road linking the Northern Expressway with the South Road Superway and Port River Expressway, saving up to seven minutes on travel time and avoiding six sets of traffic lights.
With more than half of Adelaide’s freight task located to the north and west of Adelaide, the Northern Connector is expected to significantly reduce heavy vehicle travel times and lower operating costs for the transport industry.
More than 52,000 vehicles are expected to use the Northern Connector on weekdays and the more efficient movement of freight and commuters along the North-South Corridor will drive economic growth and boost productivity in South Australia.
With planning works already well progressed, early works will commence in January next year, with major construction on the Northern Connector expected to commence by May 2016 and be completed by the end of 2019.
The Northern Connector being is funded on an 80:20 basis with the Commonwealth Government providing $788 million and the South Australian Government $197 million.
The two governments said they will continue to work together in consultation with industry on developing new innovative road pricing reforms for South Australia including the possible introduction of heavy-vehicle network charging.
More information about the Northern Connector project is available from the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure website at <http://www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/nsc/northern_connector>.
Source: News Release, Urbanalyst, 21 September, 2015