18 Apr, 2017

Market to Riverbank link construction underway

Joint Media Release

Civil construction is underway in Bank Street and Topham Mall North kick starting the $14.6 million Market to Riverbank link transformation of key laneways and streets in Adelaide.

South Australian civil contractor T & J Construction has been awarded the contract for stage 1 construction works in Bank Street and Topham Mall North.

Bank Street and Topham Mall North will be transformed with new lighting, paving, greening, street furniture and public art.

Upgrades to the Market to Riverbank link will support the growing prominence of connected laneways, businesses and the entrepreneurs that use the city’s smaller spaces.

This will encourage more people to visit and invest in the CBD and enabling new ventures to spring up, creating jobs and boosting both the day and night time economy.

These important connecting laneways and small streets are integral to how our city operates each day and provide a significant pedestrian route for more than 15,000 tourists and locals on a daily basis.

Background

Adelaide’s many laneways and small streets have already begun to revitalise our city experience with their own characteristic charm, small bars and cafés, street art and quirky shopping on an intimate, human scale.

The State Government and City of Adelaide have made a joint investment of $14.6 million to create an exciting and vibrant connection between the Adelaide Central Market and the Adelaide Riverbank Precinct.

The Market to Riverbank link includes Pitt Street, Bentham Street, Topham Mall, Leigh Street and Bank Street and connects the iconic Adelaide Central Market, one of Australia’s best loved food markets with the developing world-class cultural and entertainment precinct in the Adelaide Riverbank.

Artist’s impressions of Bank Street and Topham Mall North in the Market to Riverbank link have been unveiled and reflect the concept designs of the revitalisation of Adelaide’s underutilised small streets and laneways that will be transformed into an energising and vibrant Market to Riverbank link.

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the public art program have recently closed. Public art will play an integral role in transforming spaces into places that draw people in and encourage people to interact whilst walking or cycling through the Market to Riverbank link. This is an exciting opportunity for emerging and established artists to be involved in this pivotal project and help breathe new life into the small streets and laneways within Adelaide’s CBD.

The public art program will promote economic vitality by creating opportunities for artists and creative thinkers to activate and unveil each unique laneway character in the Market to Riverbank link.

Quotes attributable to Minister for the City of Adelaide John Rau

It’s great to see a local South Australian company secure the first stage of revitalising Adelaide’s laneways.

The Stage 1 construction is just the start of work to transform the Market to Riverbank link.

As improvements to the pedestrian link progress we hope to see more people visiting and investing in the CBD.

Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Martin Haese

It is fantastic to see this exciting project get underway.

The transformation of key small streets between the Adelaide Central Market and the Riverbank continues the recent revitalisation of Adelaide’s laneways, which has already seen the rise of dozens of bars, restaurants and shops.

Improvements to this important pedestrian link through the city will also encourage more business investment in our CBD; creating jobs and promoting growth.

Matt Halliwell