Today marks the official opening of the Mount Barker freeway interchange – improving access, safety, and travel times for tens of thousands of people in the rapidly developing region of South Australia.
Senator for South Australia Simon Birmingham said the project was the number one infrastructure priority in the Mt Barker region and will significantly improve productivity and safety on South Australia’s road network.
“This was a 2013 Liberal Party election commitment that Jamie Briggs delivered. The $16 million in federal funding made this new interchange a reality, providing more efficient access on and off the South Eastern Freeway via Bald Hills Road rather than through central Mount Barker, Nairne and Littlehampton,” Senator Birmingham said.
Acting South Australian Transport and Infrastructure Minister Peter Malinauskas said the interchange will also improve freight transport via the national network at Mount Barker.
“The new interchange will also reduce traffic congestion through Littlehampton and Mount Barker, meaning commuters will have a better run to their destinations while enabling tourists to move around the area of Adelaide hills more freely,” said Mr Malinauskas.
Ann Ferguson Mayor of Mount Barker Council said Council members were pleased with the new interchange project providing a solution to the traffic needs within the district.
“The project also included construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of the Old Princes Highway and Bald Hill Road to cater for the increased traffic expected from the new intersection,” Cr Ferguson said.
The project started in June 2015 and was completed in August 2016.
The $27 million Mt Barker Bald Hills Road is a jointly funded project with the Australian Government contributing $16 million, the South Australian Government $8 million and the District Council of Mt Barker $3 million.