Southern Expressway Duplication....Impact on cyclists

Last Saturday morning there was an open day to view plans for the Southern Expressway Duplication. In the end I spent about 2 hours talking to different people and looking at the plans.

Over the next year and a half the duplication will have a big impact on cyclist using the Veloway and the Coast to Vines Trail. The finished result will mean better infrastructure for cyclist. But in the interim, cyclist I believe, are in for a hellish time.

I spoke to one of the spokespersons, a keen cyclist, and mentioned to him my concerns how the duplication will impact on cyclist and how they should keep the cycling public up to date on closures and diversions. I have since found out that AC and BISA are both forums they are looking at.

I will give you a basic outline of how the duplication will impact on cyclist.

In Darlington the current shared use path on the western side of the expressway will be removed and be used as the off ramp for cars to exit onto Marion Rd. Sound proof walls up to 4 metres will be build as a divider between the current houses and the new off ramp. The current Veloway north of Secombe Rd will become a shared use path. This will affect about 300-400 metres of the current Veloway. Certainly not an ideal set up as cyclist travel at high speed on the decent.

Bridge extensions will possibly effect cyclist by causing closures and deviations. From May to November they will be working jointly on every second bridge. For example Darlington, miss Majors, Lander, miss Young St etc all the way along. Glenthorn Path bridge just south of Majors Rd will be removed completely.

Where the Coast to Vines trail goes through the tunnel to Panalatinga Rd, a fly over on the side of the new bridge will be built for cyclists. On Majors Rd emergency vehicles will now have an on ramp that will cut over the Veloway heading south. The Veloway at Beach Rd will have some interesting twists and turns.

One thing I was really pleased about was the proposed leisure trail the full length of the Expressway on the western side. A rubble surface. I was told that a lot of the dirt tracks they are making along side the extension for access will be come part of the trail.

So cyclist, if your a regular user of the Veloway and Coast to Vines trail be prepared for some interruptions over the next 18 months.

For more detail about cyclist and pedestrian detours please call the project information line 1300 626 097, or email dpti.southernexpressway@sa.gov.au. Additional Project information can also be found at www.infrastrucutre.sa.gov.au  

Tags: DPTI, Duplication, Expressway, Southern

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wayne Horslen on May 8, 2012 at 11:28
Yeah I will be stuffed when Lander Rd bridge is out. I'm sure we will have worked out by then Matt
Permalink Reply by RD6 on May 9, 2012 at 20:54

Does this new SA budget might see this scrapped or placed on hold?

Permalink Reply by Matt Brennan on May 9, 2012 at 20:59

hopefully they don't rip up the path before we run out of money :)  

Might be without the Veloway for a while then! 

Permalink Reply by Wayne Horslen on May 10, 2012 at 9:36
You might be right MattB

I cut this from the adelaide now site

Mr Snelling has declared "everything is on the table" to cover the revenue black hole, including delays to the "big build" program including the Adelaide Oval overhaul, Southern Expressway duplication and new hospital.
Permalink Reply by heather on May 10, 2012 at 20:19

Did you hear of the CTP Green Paper with submissions closing last month? Treasurer Snelling did a News Release, trying to persuade people that Compulsory Third Party needed to be changed. All road users would be reimbursed medical bills, not just those not at fault which is current SA system. With more people receiving compensation, then those who did not cause the collision would have to accept less compensation AGAIN. Compensation has been reduced at least twice before. Trying to say that otherwise CTP premiums will have to increase. However, does not tally because govt stats show that vehicle and pedestrian collisions have decreased (although cycling injuries have increased). One interpretation is that the Treasurer is trying to shift Health SA and State Budget costs to CTP and drivers, at the financial disadvantage of those who are injured while obeying the road rules. I wrote a detailed submissions with references and quotes -- contact me if interested.


Car crash victims face compo loss, warn lawyers – http://www.indaily.com.au/?iid=61365&sr=0#folio=1 – Uses example that under a changed CTP, Ian Humphrey's family would have received much less, while Eugene McGee would have received money for psychiatrist.

Permalink Reply by heather on May 10, 2012 at 20:48

Wayne mentioned Mr Snelling. Also a media story of 'Snellings Doomsday pretence' at http://www.indaily.com.au/?iid=62793&sr=0#folio=2

I don't accept Snellings figures when he says that compensation to crash victims must be reduced. And others discouraged from seeking compensation, e.g. if take to court and less than $30,000 compensation, then legal fees will not be reimbursed. Otherwise premiums will have to increase (even though govt stats show that collisions per population, per licensed driver and per registered vehicle have decreased).

Permalink Reply by simon on May 22, 2012 at 19:53

tonight at 6pm, i noticed that they had the bike path blocked off just after marion rd enters the expressway at the bottom. seemed to be digging up something. i hope they clean it up properly once theyre done, as its in the high speed area for descenders.

Permalink Reply by Trevor Hill on May 23, 2012 at 9:30

I was quite surprised to see the digger and truck completely block the Veloway last night. Even more surprised that they didn't have any warning signs or flag men. As you said Simon a very fast section of the track. Had to get off the bike and walk around the digger.

Noticed this morning they had put up a sign advertising the expressway duplication with the cost at $407 million. 

Permalink Reply by heather on May 23, 2012 at 11:28

Trevor, you have a photo to prove that blocking the cycle path and on a downhill. The workers might repeat the lack of required warning signs. Please report this urgent hazard to Traffic Hazards by phoning 1800 018 313 (24-hr). Let me know the outcome.

Permalink Reply by Trent on May 23, 2012 at 13:38

Certainly wouldnt want to be coming down and seeing that in front of me! that is quite a fast section and yes there should be plenty of time to brake but with no warnings etc and no run off could have been nasty.

Permalink Reply by Wayne Horslen on May 23, 2012 at 9:38
In went down the veloway this morning noticed they have ripped a lot of trees out. I did not notice anything out of the ordinary on the path at 6.30am this morning maybe because it was dark
Permalink Reply by hozozco on May 23, 2012 at 13:15

I went down the veloway this morning and it looked fine.  I was looking for the work they did and couldn't even see it (must have been going too fast).  I'm sure I'll see it one the way up tonight.

Regarding the road blockage.

I also saw this last night.  The section that was blocked whe I rode through was towards the end of a reasonable sort of staight.  In my opinion if a cyclist was going so fast they couldn't stop before the truck then they need to get their brakes checked.

The truck was not exactly easy to miss with it's lights flashing on top etc.

Looking again at the photo, the front truck does seem to be near a corner - did they move?  I'll look tonight and see what I can see!

Simon

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