Image: Fleurieu Connections Alliance
The opening of the southbound on and off ramps at the new Aldinga Interchange marks a major step forward in the Main South Road duplication project from Aldinga to Sellicks Beach, moving the project closer to completion.
The upgrade forms part of the $810.4 million Fleurieu Connections initiative which is being delivered through a partnership between the Australian and South Australian governments.
This development is designed to improve access and efficiency on one of the region’s busiest roads. Main South Road currently carries around 19,000 vehicles each day and is forecast to handle 26,000 vehicles by 2036. The new ramps are intended to make travel smoother for locals and visitors alike while strengthening connections across the Fleurieu.
The Aldinga Interchange has been strategically realigned with Aldinga Beach Road and Aldinga Road linking directly to Main South Road. This new design aims to deliver safer and more reliable journeys, with the traffic flow now passing seamlessly beneath the Aldinga bridge which opened to motorists in March this year.
Environmental measures have also been built into the project. More than 31 million recycled glass bottles, equating to almost 7,000 tonnes of glass, are being reused in construction. By substituting a portion of natural sand in asphalt with recycled glass the project reduces waste while promoting a circular economy. In addition to the recycled materials, the road corridor will be significantly greened with over 100,000 trees, shrubs, understory and aquatic plants to improve the visual landscape, provide environmental benefits and create new habitats for local wildlife.
Upcoming stages include a temporary shift of traffic back onto the newly built southbound carriageway between Aldinga Road and Perth Street. This change will allow crews to complete the northbound carriageway and bring the project another step closer to its 2026 completion.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King praised the progress and said “The Australian Government is pleased to be partnering with the South Australian Government to deliver stage two of the Main South Road duplication from Aldinga to Sellicks Beach.”
She emphasised that the opening of the new ramps will provide clear benefits to daily commuters by improving both travel efficiency and safety.
South Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Emily Bourke described the milestone as “a major milestone in an important project that will create better connections for motorists. Over the coming months, you’ll start to see some major changes taking shape across the project, including new road connections, traffic switches, and the finishing touches.”
State Member for Mawson Leon Bignell acknowledged the role of the community in bringing about the upgrade and said their long-term advocacy for duplication has resulted in tangible improvements to local infrastructure that will serve the region for decades.
The duplication supports more than 400 full-time-equivalent jobs during construction and is designed to deliver not only safer and more efficient journeys but also broader economic and community benefits.
With the new Aldinga Interchange ramps now open the project is entering its final stages and is set to reshape access and sustainability along the Fleurieu Peninsula.
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