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RAA has welcomed the announcement of a new tram overpass at Morphett Road, which will bust congestion and improve safety for all road users.
The newly-announced overpass will be constructed in 2025, at the same time as works on the existing overpass at South Road and new overpass at Marion Road – making for faster journeys for the more than 77,000 vehicles that cross the Marion, Morphett and Cross Road level crossings every day.
RAA Senior Traffic Engineer Matt Vertudaches said the Morphett Road overpass would help cater for imminent growth in the Morphettville area.
“Anyone who drives on Morphett Road will be all too familiar with the impact of the current level crossing,” Mr Vertudaches said.
“The current level crossing is frequently raised in our RAA Risky Roads surveys motorists, with its proximity to the Anzac Highway intersection leading to queuing issues and long delays.
“RAA has been calling for the removal of level crossings including those at Marion Road and Cross Road for several years, so to see the funding announced is a fantastic outcome for road users.
“Removing the Morphett Road crossing while the tram line is already closed is a smart move, making the most out of this closure to remove three level crossings simultaneously.
“With the mixed residential and commercial development slated for Morphettville, this upgrade is necessary to relieve congestion in the area and cater for future growth.
“It will also make for faster journeys along the Mike Turtur Bikeway adjacent the tram line – making it a win for cyclists and pedestrians as well.
“It’s an important step towards ensuring South Australia has the transport infrastructure to maintain our liveability as population increases.”
Currently the boom gates on Marion and Morphett Road are down for around 18 minutes and 16 minutes every hour respectively during peak periods.