Over the next few months, approximately 157 jobs are set to be supported through the delivery of $85 million worth of early enabling works as part of the development that will complete South Australia's largest infrastructure project yet – the North-South Corridor.
Early enabling works on the Torrens to Darlington Project (T2D) will include relocation of utilities and services such as water, electricity, gas and telecommunications services for the southern section of the development. These works are a necessary precursor prior to major construction of the Hybrid+ design.
The delivery of these enabling works will ensure that the T2D Project will stay on track to begin major construction on the southern tunnel in 2023.
“We know these utility services need to be relocated to make way for the tunnel, so we are getting that done while we continue finalising the reference design.
“These early enabling works are estimated to be worth around $85.6 million, supporting employment for more South Australians during the very early phases of this important project,” Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher MP said.
The works that will get underway this year are part of the first package of enabling works for this development, with all packages estimated to be valued at over $350 million.
To date, more than 200 jobs have been supported through the delivery of design, planning and ground investigations for the project, and a further 157 jobs will be generated through the early enabling works.
“By doing these early works now, we're making sure the project progresses as smoothly as possible in the future.
“This is the biggest infrastructure project in the state's history and we are proud to be getting on with delivering it for the people of South Australia.
“Not only will it get people from A-to-B faster, this project will also create up to 4,000 jobs in the process and underpin the construction industry in South Australia for the next decade – starting this year,” SA Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Corey Wingard MP said.
The $5.4 billion T2D Project will deliver the remaining 10.5-kilometre section of motorway that will complete the North-South Corridor – a 78-kilometre non-stop, traffic-light-free road corridor that connects Gawler and Old Noarlunga, which includes links to the port and airport precincts.
The Hybrid+ option was chosen as the preferred delivery method for the T2D Project. This option will combine tunnels, lowered and ground-level motorways, and overpasses / underpasses at key intersections to provide the best outcome for a free-flowing route.
Once completed, motorists will be able to bypass 21 sets of traffic lights when travelling between River Torrens and Darlington as well as experience reduced travel times by approximately 24 minutes.
Source: Premier of South Australia – Media Releases; Government of South Australia – Department for Infrastructure and Transport; Infrastructure Magazine