Mike Turtur Bikeway Rail Side Trail Upgrade (South Australia)

South Australia’s Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure in partnership with the City of Unley has developed a concept plan to substantially upgrade the Mike Tuter Bikeway.

The Mike Turtur Bikeway is a rail side trail that runs adjacent to the Glenelg Tramline between Adelaide and Glenelg and is Adelaide’s busiest cycling route, used by 1,000 people daily.

The 850m section of trail between King William Road (adjacent to the Adelaide Parklands) and Musgrave Street, is in poor condition due to the paths age, narrow width and undulating brick paved surface. In short, this section of path is not suitable or safe for its current high cycle and pedestrian usage. The section of the trail along King William Road is not designed for the volume of cyclists using it and is considered to a high risk for cyclists.

The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure in partnership with the City of Unley has developed a concept plan to substantially upgrade the trail by delivering the following key elements:

• Wider shared-use path. An increase from the existing 2.0 to 3.0 width to a 4m width to minimise the conflict between cyclists and pedestrians;
• Replace the brick paved surface with bitumen to improve stability and safety for cyclists;
• Upgraded LED path lighting and
• Installation of an on-road separated bike lane or an improved pedestrian and bike path in the section of the trail along King William Road to Greenhill Road to improve cyclist’s safety.

The Department is funding the construction works while Unley Council will be contributing through conducting the consultation process, undertaking the lighting upgrade and greening of the trail corridor. The Council will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the trail corridor following completion of the project.

Both the Department and the Council are to be congratulated on taking the initiative of upgrading this valuable commuter and recreational rail trail. On completion the trail will provide a safe and accessible path that will allow for an acceptable mix of cyclists and pedestrians while still maintaining a well landscaped corridor.

The Council has approved the construction plans and construction is expected to commence in late 2020.