NEW traffic lights at the intersection of Main North and Potts roads at Evanston have been switched on ahead of the Gawler East Link Road’s expected completion in the second half of this year – causing alleged congestion issues for road users.
Transport minister Stephan Knoll officially powered up the lights on Friday after work began on the intersection in November of last year.
According to the minister “about 90 per cent” of works have been completed at the intersection and are scheduled to finish around July.
Some traffic restrictions will stay in place while asphalt wearing, line marking and landscaping works are completed and detector loops installed.
“This is a step closer to the completion of this important $67.8 million project (the Gawler East Link Road) which will support residential expansion and growth in the Gawler East area, as well as supporting economic activity in Gawler and enhancing connectivity between current and future developments,” Mr Knoll said.
“When complete, the Gawler East Link Road will reduce congestion and travel times on the local road network and provide direct access to Main North Road without needing to travel through the town centre.
“Importantly, the Gawler East Link Road and Tulloch Road intersection upgrade projects have supported over 138 local construction jobs.”
Despite the lights being operational, traffic problems have persisted along Main North Road in front of the Gawler Green shopping centre and the Gawler Homemaker Centre.
As drivers acclimatise to the new conditions at Potts Road and Tulloch Road, long lines of vehicles along Main North Road have become common.
Locals have taken to Facebook to voice their concerns after photos were posted by page the ‘Hello, Gawler’ of cars backed up to the Gawler and Barossa Jockey Club heading away from the town.
Many complained the two new sets of lights had not been synced together appropriately and the green lights for Main North Road users changed too quickly.
“Was an absolute nightmare getting home from work an hour ago,” one Facebook user wrote.
Those lights are not set correctly and run too fast not to mention having a second set straight after that don't synchronise with the first set of lights. (It is) poor planning.”
In response to the complaints, Member for Light Tony Piccolo wrote to Mr Knoll on Monday, calling on him to address the sequencing of the lights to create a smoother journey for motorists.
“While the feedback has been generally positive, I have received considerable negative feedback regarding the sequencing of the traffic lights, in particularly those motorists trying enter Main North Road from Tulloch Road,” Mr Piccolo said.
“Motorists have stated that the sequence to exit Tulloch Road is too short, causing considerable queuing traffic chaos near the entry points to the two adjacent shopping centres.
“With school commencing today, the problem will be exacerbated. I would be very grateful if you could have this matter investigated as a matter of urgency.”