Works underway on $40m Mount Barker roundabout upgrade project

The South Australian Government is moving forward with improving key transport infrastructure that will support the growing Mount Barker population as works get underway on the $40 million upgrade to the roundabout at the intersection of Adelaide Road, Alexandrina Road, Wellington Road and Flaxley Road. 

This Mount Barker intersection upgrade is fully funded by the State Government, and it will deliver a new roundabout with dual lanes on all approach roads to improve traffic capacity as well as safety while reducing delays. 

The upgrade will include: 

• New dual lane roundabout at the intersection of Adelaide Road, Alexandrina Road, Wellington Road and Flaxley Road 

• Adelaide Road and Flaxley Road will get new signalised pedestrian crossings 

• Relocation of the Wellington Road pedestrian crossing 

• Additional lanes 

• More shared use paths 

• Road lighting improvements 

The final design has been refined following community feedback and advocacy by the Mount Barker District Council. It will now also include: 

• The addition of a new dedicate right turn access into the Mount Barker High School on Wellington Road 

• Modified alignment of the slip lane from Alexandrina Road onto Wellington Road to retain significant trees 

• New shared use path linking the relocated Wellington Road actuated pedestrian crossing with the new pedestrian refuge on Alexandrina Road 

• Modifications to the Keith Stephenson Park car park 

“As our population continues to grow at one of the fastest rates in the state, this upgrade is a critical investment in Mount Barker’s future and will have significant long-term benefits making dalily travel safer, quicker and far more reliable for everyone. 

“Council is pleased to see community feedback directly shape the final design. From improving school access to protecting significant trees, this project reflects what matters most to our community. 

“It is pleasing to see the State Government acknowledge the need to resolve Adelaide Road issues via the roundabout upgrade and new interchange,” Mount Barker District Council Mayor David Leach said. 

Project concept design (source: SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport)

New signalised pedestrian crossings on both Adelaide Road and Flaxley Road alongside new shared use paths will provide better and safer access for pedestrians and cyclists while improvements to road lighting will deliver better visibility and safety. 

About 31,000 vehicles travel through the Adelaide Road intersection each day on average. These traffic volumes are anticipated to increase as development continues in Mount Barker, with the roundabout upgrade to cater for this increase in traffic. 

The new roundabout will also provide better access to local schools and the new Mount Barker hospital by improving the flow of traffic into surrounding streets. 

This project is expected to create about 170 jobs per year during construction. 

CATCON has been awarded the contract to deliver the Mount Barker roundabout upgrade, which is anticipated to be completed in 2026. 

Planning is also underway for improvements to Adelaide Road between Mount Barker interchange and the roundabout, which will cater for ongoing growth in the Mount Barker area. 

The Adelaide Hills and Mount Barker Transport Study was released last year to inform transport investment decisions for the Adelaide Hills and examined key transport issues impacting the growth of Mount Barker and the Adelaide Hills region. The study looked at transport needs and investment priorities to support population growth, economic growth as well as liveability. 

Information sessions for the Mount Barker roundabout upgrade project are scheduled throughout November. The sessions will also include information about the Australian and South Australian Governments’ $150 million Mount Barker and Verdun Interchange upgrades. 

The information sessions will be held at: 

• Verdun Memorial Hall – 20 November, 5pm-7pm and 23 November, 12nn-2pm 

• Mount Barker Town Hall – 28 November, 4pm-6pm and 29 November, 11am-1pm 

“The State Government is investing significantly into improving transport infrastructure in the Adelaide Hills, with a range of major projects that will help to address congestion, traffic flow, road capacity and safety. 

“This intersection at Mount Barker was identified as a priority. 

“The Malinauskas Laor Government is delivering this important upgrade that will improve travel for locals and visitors and provide better access to the new hospital and local schools. 

“The final design was shaped by feedback received from almost 250 people during community consultation and I would like to thank the community for their contribution. 

“I would also encourage the Adelaide Hills community to attend one of the upcoming information sessions to learn more about the projects we are delivering that will provide safer and more accessible road transport in the region,” Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Emily Bourke said. 

Source: Government of South Australia – Media Releases; Government of South Australia – Department for Infrastructure and Transport (1, 2)