B-Double Crash Causes Major Delays on South Eastern Freeway
A B-double truck crash on the South Eastern Freeway near Crafers on Thursday afternoon caused significant traffic disruptions, with some commuters reporting delays of up to four hours. The freeway was fully reopened by early Friday morning.
Following the incident, some commuters reported a lack of advance warning about the closure, while transport officials referenced existing and planned infrastructure projects aimed at managing such disruptions.
Incident Details
A B-double truck jackknifed across multiple lanes of the South Eastern Freeway uptrack near Crafers and the Mt Lofty Bridge at approximately 4:15 PM on Thursday, March 7. The incident closed the freeway.
The Department for Infrastructure and Transport reported the crash damaged light poles, the central median barrier, and the Mt Lofty Bridge, and caused a diesel spill. The Eagle On the Hill access lane was also blocked into the evening.
No injuries were reported. Crews worked to clear the uptrack until 10 PM. The freeway, which carries nearly 55,000 vehicles daily, was fully reopened in both directions by 3 AM on Friday.
Commuter Reports and Feedback
In calls to 891 ABC Adelaide Mornings, several commuters stated there were no signs or police presence warning of the road closure ahead of the freeway entrance, which led to them becoming trapped in traffic.
Specific suggestions from callers included:
- Placing warning signs on Cross Road, Portrush Road, and Glen Osmond Road.
- Installing large signs at the intersections of Glen Osmond/Greenhill Road and Glen Osmond/Fullarton Road to allow for early route decisions.
- One caller, a nurse, stated a three-hour trip could have been avoided if traffic had been prevented from entering the freeway at the bottom.
Official Response and Infrastructure Context
Department for Infrastructure and Transport chief executive Jon Whelan acknowledged the department would consider whether additional signage is needed before intersections at the bottom of the freeway. When asked about this, he stated, "That's something we'll take into account."
Whelan pointed to the $200 million Crafers to Glen Osmond Managed Motorway project, a joint state and federal government initiative. This project includes installing moveable centre barrier gates to enable contraflow traffic during closures and lane-use management signs.
Department for Infrastructure and Transport Minister Joe Szakacs stated that disruptions on arterial roads are inevitable and that the department's response aims to be quick and cost-effective. He said the department is examining opportunities to improve its response and is assessing if there is "an opportunity to do better" regarding signage.
Szakacs also mentioned the state government is creating a business case for a Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass as part of its High Productivity Vehicle Network program, which aims to reduce heavy freight volumes on the freeway.
Additional Perspectives
- City of Burnside Mayor Anne Monceaux said she regularly sees queues of B-double trucks on the freeway during breakdowns and stated that a long-term solution requires state and federal funding for a bypass.
- Some members of the public expressed skepticism about the announced $200 million Managed Motorway project in text messages to the ABC, with one suggesting the money could be used for simpler signage solutions.