Construction has officially commenced on the Torrens to Darlington segment of the South Road motorway, touted as Australia’s largest infrastructure initiative, with a total investment of $15.4 billion. This ambitious project aims to remove 21 traffic signals, which could lead to significant reductions in travel times during peak hours, potentially saving commuters up to 40 minutes.
Preparatory work is currently taking place at deep delivery locations to facilitate the arrival of two massive tunnel boring machines, each measuring 90 metres in length. Designed in Germany and manufactured in China, these machines will excavate twin tunnels that extend for 4.5 kilometres. A 35-metre deep launch box is being prepared for their delivery, expected in the coming months.
Matt Lewis, an official associated with the project, likened the assembly of these machines to a Lego construction, with the entire process estimated to take around five months. The project’s peak construction phase is projected to create approximately 550 jobs in the southern precinct alone, contributing to a total of over 5,000 jobs throughout the Torrens to Darlington venture.
To minimize disruption, plans are in place to maintain two open lanes on South Road during construction, although some temporary closures may be necessary during off-peak hours. Premier Peter Malinauskas acknowledged that while the project is vital, it will inevitably involve some disruption, stating, “You can’t make an omelette without breaking some eggs,” and emphasising the government’s awareness of the complexities involved in a project of this nature.
The project is slated for completion by 2031, signalling a major step forward in South Australia’s transportation infrastructure.