Traffic has switched onto the new southbound lanes of Victor Harbor Road between Main South Road and the McLaren Vale turnoff, in a major milestone for the Victor Harbor Road duplication project, south of Adelaide.
The move onto the new lanes took place from 5am today, Tuesday 28 February, and will remain in place until late 2023, enabling construction of the new northbound carriageway.
The Australian and South Australian governments have committed a total of $685 million to fund the Main South Road and Victor Harbor Road duplication (Fleurieu Connections) projects, with the Australian Government committing $221.6 million.
The Victor Harbor Road duplication involves duplicating approximately four kilometres between Main South Road, Old Noarlunga and Main Road, McLaren Vale.
The duplication will improve road safety, improve traffic flow and increase capacity. The project includes a new four-way, two-lane roundabout at Robinson Road, and the realignment of Quarry Road.
Ten per cent of the asphalt on this new section is made up of recycled wine bottles from nearby McLaren Vale. This is the equivalent of 459 wine bottles in every tonne of recycled asphalt in the base layer and 115 bottles in every tonne of the top layer.
The glass was collected from yellow waste bins and local councils in the region. The crushed glass was supplied by a local recycling business in Seaford Heights.
In addition to the inclusion of recycled glass, the top asphalt layer also contains a minimum 10 per cent recycled asphalt, and the base layer contains at least 30 per cent.
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Quotes
Attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
“These duplication projects will result in safer and faster journeys for motorists, support local business, provide a vital boost for local tourism and support hundreds of jobs each year during construction.
“These projects will drive a real short-term employment and economic boost while delivering lasting infrastructure that will continue to benefit the region well into the future.
“It’s an example of how investment in good infrastructure opens doors and opportunities for businesses and communities.
“I also welcome the use of recycled wine bottles in asphalt for the project. While not quite turning water to wine, this offers important sustainability benefits as we strive to reduce emissions across the transport sector.”
Attributable to State Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Tom Koutsantonis:
“This traffic switch is a major milestone for the Victor Harbor Road duplication project, as traffic moves onto the new southbound carriageway between Main South Road and the McLaren Vale turnoff for the first time.
“This will enable construction of the northbound carriageway to begin, moving the project another step closer to completion.
“The duplication of Victor Harbor Road, together with the duplication of Main South Road, will vastly improve safety and traffic flow through the region.
“With the use of recycled asphalt on this new stretch of road, the South Australian Government is following through on its commitment to use recycled material wherever possible when improving its road network.
“Using recycled glass from locally sourced wine bottles as part of the new Victor Harbor Road is not only good for the environment, but also a wonderful link to this beautiful wine region.”
Attributable to Federal Member for Kingston, The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP
“The duplication of Victor Harbor Road along with the duplication of Main South Road will provide the safety and improved traffic flows that the community need and support local jobs in construction and tourism.
“Using recycled bottles from our local wineries that are supplied by a local business makes for a wonderful and sustainable connection to one of the world’s leading wine regions.”
Attributable to State Member for Mawson Leon Bignell MP
“McLaren Vale is recognised as one of the world’s most sustainable wine regions.
“In fact, internationally-recognised local sustainable viticulture expert Dr Irina Santiago-Brown wrote the book on it a decade ago and other countries and wine regions are following our lead.
“To have the road to our region paved with not only good, but sustainable, intentions is another nod to how much we appreciate the land on which we grow our grapes and other produce.
“Ten years ago we brought in an Act of Parliament specific to the McLaren Vale wine region. It prevents urban sprawl from paving over our natural vegetation and agriculture land.
“It is only fitting that visitors who come to our special place and locals lucky enough to live here will be driving over the relics of celebrations past as we deliver on a future with a smaller carbon footprint and lower rates of land-fill.”
