iscover
The South Australian government has ramped up “major works” on an intersection linking Adelaide Airport with the city.
The intersection of Sir Donald Bradman Drive and Marion Road, which handles more than 60,000 vehicles per day, is receiving an $85 million upgrade, with construction currently underway including kerbing, drainage, road lighting, electrical infrastructure, and pavement works.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
The SA government said the intersection, which joins Sir Donald Bradman Drive – the main route to Adelaide Airport – with Marion Road, another major commuter, freight and public transport route, is over capacity and creates “significant congestion”.
Additionally, the junction is something of an accident black spot, with 28 crashes between 2018–22.
State Transport and Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis called the site “a significant pain point for commuters, locals and travellers over the last few years”.
“It’s over capacity and very congested. With these upgrades, we’ll improve traffic efficiency, decrease queue lengths and reduce dangerous rat-running on surrounding streets,” he said.
Once finished, the intersection will have new dedicated turning and through lanes; an extended left turn lane towards the airport from Marion Road onto Sir Donald Bradman Drive, new bike lanes on all approaches, and an improved pedestrian crossing on the southern side of Marion Road.
Federal Member for Adelaide Steve Georganas said the upgrades would reduce “rat-running” through nearby suburban streets, as well as making the road journey “safer and more efficient” for users.
“This intersection is a pivotal part of a direct link between the city and the airport, so it’s not just locals who will benefit from these works,” he said.
“We’re making this vital transport corridor more reliable and efficient and, once complete, the upgrades will ensure people can get to their destination on time.”
The upgrades, flagged in 2023, are being carried out by South Australian company Bardavcol with joint State and Federal government funding, and are expected to be complete by early 2026.
