The Department for Infrastructure and Transport have announced a $37m investment in cycling and pedestrian improvements across Adelaide’s road network as part of a broader $168m Road Safety Program funded 50:50 with the federal government.

The funding will primarily be used to construct six actuated crossings on arterial roads, enabling safer and more convenient movement for vulnerable road users.

Locations include Grange, Allenby Gardens, Rostrevor, Gawler, Gepps Cross and Mile End.

Infrastructure and Transport minister Tom Koutsantonis said the government was “working with local councils to develop safe and connected routes to encourage cycling as a travel choice”.

“These new crossings will enable pedestrians and cyclists to safely get across without having to risk finding a gap in traffic,” he said.

Emergency Services minister Dan Cregan said the push-button crossings would “make it easier for those with a mobility, vision or hearing impairment to safely cross a road during peak hour traffic”.

Construction of the Gawler crossing on Lyndoch Rd will begin this week, while the crossing at Mile End as part of the Airport Bikeway is expected to get underway in June.

The improvements are welcome news to Bike SA, as the crossings will allow for safer and more convenient travel for commuter and recreational cyclists.

Grange Lakes

The current cyclist refuge crossing will be upgraded to a PAC (pedestrian actuated crossing), allowing for a safer connection along the Grange Lakes corridor which connects West Lakes with Henley Beach. This could look similar to the shared-path crossing seen on the Coast to Vines Rail Trail at Bains Road.

Airport Bikeway

Crossing South Rd is hard enough in a car, let alone on a bike. A BPAC (bicycle/pedestrian actuated crossing) situated here will enable easier movement between King St and Roebuck St along the Airport Bikeway, which links the city and the airport. This could look like the crossing of Portrush Road as part of the Magill-Norwood Bikeway, where pedestrian and cyclists get the chance to cross the busy arterial.

St Bernards Rd

A new PAC will be built near Reid Avenue, helping pedstrians and riders travel east-west over busy St Bernards Rd. A similar treatment exists on Unley Road as part of another east-west walking and cycling link.

Lyndoch Rd, Gawler

The current ‘Emu’ crossing outside Immanuel Lutheran School is likely to be upgraded to a full-time PAC, allowing students and other pedestrians to cross at any time of day and not just in school hours. This could look similar to the crossing on Stephen Terrace in Walkerville outside Walkerville Primary School.

The Levels-City Bikeway

Crossing six lanes of traffic without lights was a dangerous challenge before, but hopefully not for much longer. This popular bikeway may see a treatment similar to the one on Marion Rd as part of the Marino Rocks Greenway, which halts all six lanes of traffic to provide safe passage for pedestrians and cyclists.

Grane Road, Allenby Gardens

With Allenby Gardens Primary School nearby, crossing Grange Road at this location is a challenge for kids and parents alike, whether they are pedestrians or cyclists. A new PAC similar to one seen on Torrens Road at Kilkenny will allow for safer journeys to school.

To learn more, visit the Department for Infrastructure and Transport website.