ADELAIDE, AAP – Almost 400 properties will be acquired for the completion of South Australia’s largest infrastructure project with work on the final tunnels for the South Road corridor to begin in 2023.

The final stretch of motorway from Darlington to Anzac Highway will cost about $10 billion and create an estimated 4500 jobs with the state government on Wednesday revealing where site works will begin.

The project includes four kilometres of tunnels which the government says will reduce by more than half the number of homes and other properties that will need to be demolished.

Transport Minister Corey Wingard said the project team had begun engaging with the first affected property owners.

“When we announced this project we made a commitment to let the community know as soon as possible, when activities would begin in particular locations and which properties were likely to be impacted,” he said.

 

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“When we know, you’ll know and as soon as we get certainty on elements of the design, we’ll be engaging with impacted land owners directly, before information is shared with the broader public.

“By announcing that we’ve started property acquisitions in the southern laydown area, we’re ensuring everyone who has a stake in this project and in the local community is aware of the progress that’s been made and how the next steps will play out.”

Federal Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher said revealing plans for the first area of work was an important milestone in the delivery of the project.

“The 10.5 kilometre Torrens to Darlington section is the final piece of this important project and is set to reduce travel time for commuters in Adelaide by up to 24 minutes,” he said.

“Significant work has already been done to progress this project, including hundreds of geotechnical investigations and the design for relocation of important utility services such as water, gas and telecommunications.”

Once complete, the South Road project will create a 78-kilometre non-stop motorway between Gawler, north of Adelaide, to Old Noarlunga, south of the city.