New milestone reached on $250m Curtis Rd Level Crossing Removal project

The jointly funded $250 million Curtis Road Level Crossing Removal in South Australia is progressing well, and a detailed concept design for the project has been unveiled.

Community members are also invited to have their say on the designs.

Approximately 21,000 vehicles pass through this level crossing each day, with boom gates down for about 15 minutes every hour during peak times, causing traffic delays and congestion in the area.

Replacing the level crossing with a new grade-separated, dual-lane road overpass will allow traffic to travel safely over the Gawler passenger rail line without delays.

“The northern suburbs of Adelaide are a wonderful place to live, and the local community is growing. That’s why the Albanese Government is investing in infrastructure to improve travel times and provide smoother and safer trips through this area.

“The removal of the Curtis Road level crossing will mean better access to employment and education, less time waiting at busy boom gates in peak-hour traffic and more time with family and loved ones.

“This is one of the many projects across Adelaide that we’re investing in to make the daily commute safer and more efficient,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said.

The project is proposed to include:

• A new dual lane road overpass over the Gawler rail line connecting Curtis Road
• New community space, connections and other open space under the road overpass
• Opportunities for landscaping and urban realm improvements
• New wombat crossings providing safer crossing points for shared use paths
• Shared use paths on either side of the overpass
• New shared use path connections linking the Gawler Greenway and Smithfield and Munno Para stations

The new link road connecting to Curtis Road will help improve access to the growing Playford Alive East development. Several side street connections along the road will also operate as left-in, left-out only to maintain safety and traffic flow, supporting smoother vehicle movements along this corridor.

Meanwhile, a new connection between Charlotte Street and Alawoona Road will provide an alternative route for local traffic under the new overpass.

“For years, local families in the northern suburbs have dealt with delays, congestion and safety concerns at the Curtis Road level crossing, so it’s great to see this project continuing to move forward.

“This project is about making daily life easier for local residents, improving safety, reducing travel delays and supporting the continued growth of our northern communities.

“As the North continues to grow, infrastructure like this is critical to keeping people connected to jobs, schools, services and local businesses.

“I encourage local residents to have their say during consultation and help shape the final design,” State Member for Taylor Nick Champion said.

“Every day, thousands of local residents travel along Curtis Road and know firsthand the frustration that congestion causes for families, workers and businesses.

“As our community grows, we’re getting on with delivering the road upgrades locals need to ease congestion, improve safety and keep traffic moving mow and into the future,” State Member for Elizabeth Ella Shaw said.

Source: SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport

Information sessions will be held at the Playford Church on 11 June from 5pm to 7pm as well as on 13 June from 11am to 1pm. This gives the community the opportunity to provide feedback that will help shape the final design and, at the same time, gather early input into the urban design that will surround the new overpass.

For those unable to attend the in-person sessions, an online survey will be available until 21 June.

“This is a project shaped by the needs of a rapidly growing community in the northern suburbs, and we want to hear directly from locals to ensure we get the design right.

“With around 21,000 vehicles using this crossing every day, removing the boom gates will improve travel times and reliability for families, workers and businesses.

“This upgrade will not only ease congestion but also deliver safer connections for pedestrians and cyclists, helping create a more liveable and connected community,” State Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Joe Szakacs said.

Major works will commence in 2027, with completion anticipated in 2030. This project is estimated to support 425 full-time equivalent jobs annually during its construction.

The Curtis Road Level Crossing Removal Project is jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian Governments, each contributing $125 million.

The State Government has also committed $15 million earlier this year to upgrade the intersection of Curtis Road and Andrews Road to a new four-way signalised intersection, which will improve safety and unlock about 1,500 dwellings.

The City of Playford has also allocated $3.4 million towards this project, which is currently under the design phase.

Furthermore, major works on the new $30 million dual-lane roundabout at the intersection of Curtis Road and Heaslip Road will start later this year.

“In partnership with the Malinauskas Labor Government, we are investing in infrastructure right across the North.

“As a Northern local, I know our community just wants all levels of government to get on with the job. People up here just want to get to work, school and home to their families on time.

“I am proud to be part of a Labor Government making serious investments on Curtis Road. The Federal and State Governments are putting serious money on the table, and I will keep encouraging the City of Playford to play its part in delivering the local road upgrades our community needs,” Federal Member for Spence Matt Burnell said.

“For residents in Munno Para, Curtis Road is a daily nightmare.

“As the Playford Alive community continues to grow, additional investment in infrastructure is critical.

“One piece of this puzzle is the removal of the Curtis Road level crossing which is welcomed.

“The delays caused by having boom gates down, will save families hours each year whilst improving traffic flow, reducing congestion and enhancing safety.

“This investment demonstrates the commitment at both a State and Federal level by the Labor Party to “fix” Curtis Road, but most importantly, it accommodates the future duplication of Curtis Road,” State Member for Light James Agness said.

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Government of South Australia – Media Releases; Government of South Australia – Department for Infrastructure and Transport