Ministerial Statement

South Road Tram Overpass

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:09): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: On Wednesday 18 January of this year, just before 7am, the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure's Traffic Management Centre received reports of debris falling from the South Road tram overpass. Department personnel were immediately sent to inspect the structure and, in the interest of public safety, tram services were stopped, access to the pedestrian and cycling overpass was blocked and traffic was diverted away from that section of South Road.

Following inspections by structural engineers, the bridge was deemed safe for the return of tram services, but not access to the affected part of the bridge: the concrete beam section underpinning the cycling and walking path. Around-the-clock work began to design and construct a purpose-built solution to brace the beam and make the bridge safer for traffic to return to the closed section of South Road. This work was completed overnight on Sunday 22 January, enabling the road to be reopened from approximately 7.30 that morning.

On Monday 23 January, the department appointed national and international consulting engineering firm Aurecon to complete a thorough and comprehensive external review of the South Road overpass. Aurecon, which has a significant presence in South Australia, has more than 50 years of experience in all forms of bridge design, including large span bridges, rail and road bridges and bridges for cyclist and pedestrians. Aurecon also has a range of bridge specialists, none of whom were involved in the original design or construction of the structure.

I was advised yesterday that Aurecon's review to identify the cause of the issues associated with the movement of the pedestrian and cycling pathway is continuing. I was also advised that the report is expected to be completed within weeks. As I have stated previously, the report will be made public. I can also advise that the Small Business Commissioner continues to work with businesses impacted by the closure of South Road, following the state government's offer of compensation to affected businesses.