28 Aug, 2013

Temporary Victoria Square Central Roadway Closure Next Month

The Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga central roadway will be closed from 15 September to 11 October, to allow for necessary infrastructure works as part of the $28 million upgrade.

The temporary road closure will allow the City of Adelaide, and its contractors, to complete the installation of underground services below a high voltage power line that crosses the Square.

Sandy Verschoor, City Culture and Community Services General Manager, said the Council understands this will mean a short-term inconvenience for some road users, however the nature of the utility works required for the upgrade makes it a necessity.

“We are working to ensure there is minimal disruption during this time, with the last two weeks of the temporary closure falling during school holidays - when traditionally there is less traffic around -to limit the impacts on peak road users,” she said.

Sandy said the Council thanks the community for their patience and cooperation while Stage 1 of the redevelopment is under way.

“We will keep people informed about the temporary closure. This includes variable message signs around city entrance points to remind people of the works; broadcasting reminders on radio through the Australia Traffic Network and using our social media channels, as well as making information available on our website,” she said.

“Victoria Square will be transformed into a lively, people-focused space for the whole community to enjoy and so during this time of inconvenience, I’d encourage people to think about the new Square and the long-term benefits it will bring to our city.

“The Council is busy working behind the scenes to negotiate an exciting program of events and activities for the future use of the Square, which we expect to announce over the next couple of months. The Tour Down Under will be the first major event to use the Square in January 2014.”

Construction will be completed in December 2013, with the Three Rivers Fountain to be reinstalled at the very southern end of the Square in February 2014.

Sandy said the upgrade will double the number of trees in the Square, create a large lawned events space, promenade, safer lighting, new water feature, garden beds, public toilets, drinking fountains, bike racks and ‘plug and play’ infrastructure for mobile and pop-up activities.

“I’d encourage commuters to familiarise themselves with the temporary traffic changes and to use alternative routes where possible for this four week period,” she said.

“City road users are reminded there are nine other east to west routes available to them to get where they’re going.

“This includes West Terrace and Morphett Street in the west and Frome Road, Hutt and Pulteney streets in the east, which will connect you to the best alternative route.”

To maximise the benefit of the road closure to the project, contractors will take the opportunity to rip up the remaining bitumen in the centre of the Square, and start laying the thick foundation of concrete and new granite pavers.

When the central roadway reopens on 11 October to temporary restrictions, road users will have access to cross Victoria Square again using three lanes.

From 15 September to 11 October, temporary traffic changes around Victoria Square will mean:

• Road traffic will not be able to travel through Victoria Square via the central roadway.
• Road users wanting to get from east to west, or vice versa, should avoid Victoria Square and utilise one of the nine other east to west routes within the CBD grid.
• West Tce and Morphett St in the west and Frome Rd, Hutt and Pulteney streets in the east provide the best means of connecting road users to alternative cross city east to west routes.
• Tram and bus services will continue as scheduled. However buses that usually travel via the central roadway (linking Grote and Wakefield streets) will make a priority U-turn (at the intersection of Gouger and King William streets), to enable them to turn west onto Grote Street.
• Pedestrian access through and around the Square will be unaffected.

For more information on the temporary road closure, including a map of the temporary traffic changes, visit www.smartmoveadelaide.com.

For more information about bus detours and schedules, go to www.adelaidemetro.com.au.

For more information on the upgrade, visit www.victoriasquareadelaide.com.au.

Victoria Loughhead