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Early works commence on $9.9bn SA North-South Corridor T2D project

Written by Monica Gameng | Sep 2, 2021 1:20:00 AM

South Australia’s massive $9.9 billion Torrents to Darlington (T2D) project is closer to commencing major construction activities as $85 million worth of crucial enabling works are now underway. 

The enabling works around Clovelly Park – at the southern end of the project corridor – include relocation of SA Power Networks (SAPN) cabling, which will pave the way for the Southern Tunnel launch site and staging area. Relocation of Optus telecommunications services will also get underway. 

According to Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher, early enabling works will help the project’s main construction to “proceed smoothly”. 

“The Morrison Government has invested billions in the North-South Corridor – the most significant infrastructure project ever undertaken in the state – as part of its record $110 billion infrastructure investment pipeline, which is helping to drive the nation’s world-leading economic recovery. 

“When finished, this project will bypass 21 sets of traffic lights between the River Torrens and Darlington, with the journey taking on average 8 minutes, saving motorists up to 24 minutes in travel time,” Minister Fletcher said. 

Getting the ball rolling early will ensure the Torrens to Darlington project can begin main construction – especially on Stage 1 tunnelling – as scheduled in 2023 while works to finalise the Reference Design continue. 

“These works, which are part of a broader package of enabling works worth more than $85 million, are supporting 157 jobs and creating employment for more South Australians during the early phases of this important project. 

“This is the biggest road infrastructure project in our state’s history, and we’re proud to be getting on with delivering it in consultation with the community and for the benefit of the people of South Australia. 

“Not only will T2D get people from A to B faster, it will also support more than 4,500 jobs and underpin our construction industry for the next decade,” Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Corey Wingard said. 

Most of the relocation works for SAPN will be carried out immediately west of South Road, in the streets of Clovelly Park while Optus will install telecommunication pits as well as disconnecting and connecting cables on Yorke Avenue, Princes Parade and South Road until the end of September. 

The beginning of early enabling works follows the announcement of the southern laydown site in Tonsley-Clovelly Park – the site where two tunnel boring machines are set to be launched to excavate the twin three-lane Southern Tunnels. 

In the coming months, the Torrens to Darlington project team will be engaging with local residents and businesses to inform them of the changes they might see in their neighbourhoods and what it means to them. The project team will also be engaging with locals who own property, live or work near the planned construction area or motorway. 

On the other hand, the Department of Infrastructure and Transport will be communicating with impacted land owners as soon as details of the Reference Design are released. 

 

The Torrens to Darlington project will deliver the final 10.5-kilometre section of the North South Corridor – a 78-kilometre non-stop corridor between Gawler and Old Noarlunga that includes links to the port and airport precincts. 

The project is going to be delivered using a hybrid+ design, which combines the use of tunnels, lowered and ground-level motorways along with overpasses and underpasses at key intersections. 

The multi-billion-dollar project will be built in two stages, namely: 

  • Stage One: Southern Tunnel – linking Anzac Highway to Darlington 
  • Stage Two: Tunnel Connector and Northern Tunnel – linking River Torrens to Anzac Highway 

Subject to approvals, major construction works on the project are expected to begin in 2023 and the entire Torrens to Darlington project completed in 2030. 

Source: Premier of South Australia – Media Releases; Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the ArtsGovernment of South Australia – Building What Matters; T2D Torrens to Darlington