Largest SA infrastructure project underway

Main construction works are officially underway on the largest and most complex infrastructure project in South Australia.

The River Torrens to Darlington (T2D) Project will create a non-stop south road in Adelaide’s Southern Precinct in Clovelly Park.

This will allow motorists to bypass 21 sets of traffic lights and save up to 40 minutes of travel time in peak hour traffic.

Heavy machinery is now on site and activity on the project has ramped up.

The Southern Precinct area – located between Tonsley Boulevard and Norrie Avenue – will become the purpose-built site from where tunnel boring machines (TBM) will begin constructing the southern tunnels.

Two TBMs will launch from the Southern Precinct to construct the twin 4.5-kilometre southern tunnels, while the twin 2.2-kilometre northern tunnels will utilise a third TBM.

The past few weeks have seen a significant increase in works on site, including the start of construction of the diaphragm walls for the TBM launch box – the first piece of permanent works on the project. 

The diaphragm walls will be up to 35 metres deep and will form the outside of the TBM launch box – a large open trench where the TBMs will be assembled and then begin excavating the tunnels.

A nearly 100-metre-long bentonite plant has also been constructed.

South Australian Premier, Peter Malinauskas, was excited to provide an update on the long-awaited project.

“Today is such an important day for our state with the start of major construction to create a non-stop South Road,” he said.

“This is a project that’s been long talked about – everyone knows how important it is.

“Now we’re getting on with delivering it.”

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said the latest developments on the state’s “biggest ever road project” is a significant milestone.

“This is the last leg of a long journey to create the North-South Corridor – 78km of non-stop, traffic light-free motorway – and once complete, it will change the state for the better,” she said.

“When South Australians can bypass 21 sets of traffic lights on their journeys between River Torrens and Darlington, they won’t know themselves.”

The project is expected to be open to traffic by 2031.

In other news, Centurion has opened a brand-new facility in Queensland.