Adelaide’s east is bracing for significant traffic disruption from tomorrow, with major road closures rolling out ahead of the bp Adelaide Grand Final and expected to add considerable time to daily commutes over the next fortnight.
Drivers travelling between the CBD and the eastern suburbs are being urged to plan ahead, with closures along key routes including Wakefield Road, Dequetteville Terrace and Bartels Road set to bite hardest during the morning and afternoon peak periods. RAA is warning motorists to expect delays and, where possible, adjust their travel patterns to avoid the worst of the congestion.
RAA says the smartest move for commuters is to hit the road before 7.30am to dodge the heaviest peak-hour impacts, or consider swapping the car for public transport or cycling where possible. Afternoon traffic is also expected to remain heavier for longer than usual each day of the closure period.
Last year’s figures paint a clear picture of what’s ahead. On the first Friday of closures, the median travel time along Fullarton Road between Greenhill Road and The Parade blew out from nine minutes to 45 minutes at 8.30am. Other major routes also saw travel times more than double, with RAA identifying steep jumps across key eastern corridors during the morning peak: Payneham Road climbed from 18 minutes to as much as 37, Magill Road spiked from 12 minutes to 36, The Parade West surged from four to 28 minutes, Greenhill Road tripled from eight to 25, and Glen Osmond Road more than doubled from nine to 20.
Roads threading through the Adelaide Park Lands also struggled under the pressure last year, with Unley Road stretching from its usual two-minute median travel time to an average of nine minutes – and up to 15 on some mornings. Botanic Road and Rundle Road were similarly impacted, with travel times jumping from about one minute to roughly three.
This year’s closures will be in place across multiple high-traffic streets from Friday 21 November, with Wakefield Road and East Terrace remaining shut until Thursday 4 December. Sections of Dequetteville Terrace and Bartels Road will reopen slightly earlier, from Tuesday 2 December. A full list of closures is available on the Adelaide Grand Final website.
RAA Senior Manager Road Safety Charles Mountain urged anyone travelling through the eastern suburbs to give themselves extra time and consider alternative transport.
“Drivers should expect heavier delays during the morning peak, especially after 7.30am,” Mr Mountain said. “The road network in the eastern suburbs comes under significant pressure during Grand Final closures, so giving yourself extra time is essential.
“We see thousands of extra cars funnelling onto alternative corridors, that’s why even short commutes can take twice as long. If you can leave before the peak or switch to transport that bypasses the congestion, you’ll save a lot of time, while workers with flexible working arrangements or the option to work from home could utilise this to reduce stress on the transport network.
“Cycling routes can be quicker, but riders should check which routes will still be available during the event. O-Bahn bus services offer a great option as they are nearly fully separated from other traffic until reaching Grenfell Street in the city.”
Major road closures for this year’s event include:
- Wakefield Road; East Terrace: 6:00am Friday 21 November – 6:00am Thursday 4 December
- Dequetteville Terrace (South of Bartels): 6:00am Friday 21 November – 3:00pm Tuesday 2 December
- Bartels Road; Hutt Street & Dequetteville Terrace (North of Bartels): 6:00am Friday 21 November – 6:00am Tuesday 2 December
More info is available on the Adelaide Grand Final website.
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