By Jeremy Rochow
Published: Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Confusing intersections, footpaths falling apart, incomplete bike lanes – what frustrates you as a road user? Now’s your chance to tell us which South Australian roads need improving.
It’s 2016, and you’re driving south along Diagonal Rd towards the Oaklands Crossing during afternoon peak-hour.
Traffic builds and you come to a stop. Bells ring and boom gates lower as multiple trains travel through the level crossing.
Once they’ve passed, cars on Morphett Rd are given the go-ahead. Finally, traffic in your lane begins to move.
For one respondent in RAA’s 2017 Risky Roads Survey, it took about 20 minutes during peak hour to get through the Oaklands Crossing intersection, so it was no surprise that it was the most nominated.
RAA members said the junction had a confusing layout, lacked crossing or turning opportunities and didn’t have enough traffic signals.
Risky Roads 2017 repairs
Funding provided to repair the top 10 roads and intersections nominated in the 2017 survey.
Fast forward to 2019 and the Oaklands Crossing has received a $174 million overhaul, including a redesign and grade separation of the road and rail line.
RAA’s Senior Manager for Safety and Infrastructure, Charles Mountain, says the upgrade has reduced delays through the busy intersection.
“Connectivity has improved between Diagonal Rd and Morphett Rd, and the underpass has made it safer for pedestrians and cyclists to cross,” he says.
Risky Roads (intersections) 2017 funding to date
| Intersection | Promised $M | Spent $M |
|---|---|---|
| Oaklands Crossing | - | $174 |
| Blackwood roundabout | - | $3.5 |
| Aldinga Beach Rd/Main South Rd | Included in Main South Rd duplication | - |
| Main South Rd/Tatachilla Rd | Included in Main South Rd duplication | - |
| Dalkeith Rd/Main North Rd | - | $3.9 |
| Old Princes Hwy/Woodside Rd | $5 | - |
| Bull Creek Rd/ Paris Creek Rd | $0.1 | |
| North East Rd/South Para Rd | - | - |
| Playford Hwy/Tinsmith Rd | - | - |
| Golden Grove Rd/Hancock Rd | $20 | - |
| Total | $25 | $181.5 |
Risky Roads results
Since the 2017 Risky Roads Survey – completed by nearly 3000 RAA members – authorities have committed to improve, or improved 19 of 22 nominated roads and intersections.
More than $200 million has been spent so far. Another $581 million has been promised to fix issues mentioned by RAA members.
“Blackwood roundabout was overhauled; however, RAA is still working with DPTI regarding operations of the intersection,” Mr Mountain says.
Risky Roads 2017 funding to date
| Road | Promised $M | Spent $M |
|---|---|---|
| Main South Rd Noarlunga to Myponga | $305 | - |
| Horrocks Hwy Roseworthy to Clare | $55 | |
| Princes Hwy Kingston SE to Millicent | $100 | $7.7 |
| Owen Rd Templers to Owen | - | - |
| Main North Rd Gepps Cross to Salisbury | - | - |
| North East Rd Holden Hill to Chain of Ponds | - | - |
| Copper Coast hwy | - | $10 |
| Port Wakefield Rd | - | - |
| Main Road, Blackwood | $20 | - |
| South Eastern Fwy Glen Osmond to Hahndorf | $14.2 | - |
| Southern Ports Hwy Kingston SE to Millicent | - | $2.1 |
| Barrier Hwy Saddleworth to Manoora | $62.5 | - |
| Total | $556,7 | $19.1 |
“$54 million was earmarked for upgrading the Horrocks Hwy and planning has commenced on the duplication of Main South Rd from Seaford to Aldinga.
The survey helps RAA determine some of the intersections and roads RAA advocates for.”
Have your say
Now, RAA is launching its 2019 Risky Roads Survey, giving you a chance to have your say.
You can raise concerns about the lack of signage on a particular road, potholes or the layout of an intersection.
It doesn’t matter how big or small the issue is, if it worries you, we want to hear about it.
Mr Mountain says the issues members raise will be assessed before RAA lobbies the government for improvements to be made to metropolitan or country roads.
“We want everyone – whether they’re a motorist, cyclist or pedestrian – to name anything they think is unsafe on our roads,” Mr Mountain says.