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 Graham King on February 5, 2013 at 13:04

Just

Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on February 5, 2013 at 13:06

I'm surprised Michelle didn't get a bit suspicious with the seventeen bicycle storage hooks you just put up in the man cave Phil.

Permalink Reply by Michelle Crick on February 5, 2013 at 18:58

You can never have too many bikes :-)

Permalink Reply by RD6 on February 5, 2013 at 19:53

there you go Wiggins - she has given you the green light for TT & CX bikes :)

While the minimum number of bikes one should own is three, the correct number is n+1, where n is the number of bikes currently owned. This equation may also be re-written as s-1, where s is the number of bikes owned that would result in separation from your partner.

Permalink Reply by Bill Gehling on February 6, 2013 at 13:06

I rode to Victor Harbor yesterday, and back today using the Veloway as far as Pedlars Creek.

The detour around Reynella was managed beautifully. There is a well marked temporary track to take you past the extensive work being done there. There was even a cheery and agreeable worker controlling traffic where trucks were having to cross the veloway. Well done!

Another bouquet to the people responsible for the path beside the new train line. It is now finished - hooray!

The section near Beach Rd though is a woeful mess at the moment. There are detours through nearby streets with signs missing, and some seem to have been deliberately moved just to send the hapless cyclist in totally the wrong direction. I don't know whether to blame the slap-dash contractors or some mischievous locals. At one stage I found myself going around in circles. Only with the help of my trusty iPhone was I able to find a pathway between two houses that was disguised as someone's driveway. Again, there were no signs to help. Some of the detours were so convoluted that even where there were signs, there was nothing to indicate what direction I should be going.

The Sherriffs Road crossing is hardly any better at the moment, and also has some rather difficult-to-navigate detours. It's the one part of the original veloway that forced you down onto the street network to cross a busy road. I'd like to think that the new bridge over Sherriffs Road is going to carry the veloway as well. 

Permalink Reply by heather on February 6, 2013 at 15:45

Bill, you could phone DPTI on 1800 018 313 and explain that signage is poor.

Permalink Reply by Matt Brennan on March 15, 2013 at 13:00

Majors bridge is now shut.

Are there Veloway restrictions around it?  Havent been out for a look yet.

Permalink Reply by hozozco on March 16, 2013 at 1:04

Hi  Matt

I've been on holidays, so I don't know for sure - but I do believe the Veloway should be fine if you're going straight through Majors.

I normally turn right on to Majors which I expect will be closed - so I'll need to keep going to Lander Rd.

Lander Rd is closed this weekend/Monday - does anyone know if the bike track that goes right near Lander is still operational?

Thanks

Simon

Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on March 16, 2013 at 7:18

Not sure Simon but I saw some new bike/ped signs whilst walking the dog last night heading down Young St towards Old Reynella, presumably to rejoin the path at the Young St entrance

Permalink Reply by FraserMcQ on March 16, 2013 at 8:15

This has info on the traffic restrictions, but basically Lander Rd this weekend, and Majors for the rest of the year:

dpti.sa.gov.au/southern_expressway_duplication/traffic_restrictions

It also suggests that the Veloway will remain open, with access to the east side if Majors Rd.

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