Two new shared-use paths have been completed in the City of Onkaparinga, linking historic townships and providing a safer route for families to and from school.
Families, runners, cyclists, walkers and visitors can now use a safe and scenic trail connecting the popular destinations of Willunga and Aldinga for the first time.
The much-awaited 5.8-kilometre Willunga to Aldinga shared-use path runs from the Aldinga Road/Mainwaring Street intersection in Willunga, through to the Main South Road/Port Road intersection in Aldinga.
The 2.5m wide path is located away from the main road along Aldinga Road and the majority of Flour Mill Road, with a small segment of the path along Flour Mill Road and Free Lane located alongside the road where there’s less traffic.
Landscaping, a new bridge over Willunga Creek, signage, and medians to separate the path from vehicle traffic were also completed as part of the project.
Further north, a new 800-metre trail connecting the township of McLaren Vale with Tatachilla Lutheran College has been completed, providing a safer link for families walking and cycling to and from school.
Running between McLaren Vale’s Caffrey Street/Tatachilla Road intersection and Tatachilla Lutheran College’s Tatachilla Road entrance, the shared-use path’s completion coincides with a reduced speed limit from 70km/h to 60km/h along a section of the trail to further improve safety.
Both trails were made possible thanks to funding from the state government’s Community Infrastructure Grants program following election commitments from Leon Bignell, Member for Mawson.
The City of Onkaparinga received $3 million through the program to construct the Willunga to Aldinga shared-use trail (with about $1 million contributed by the council), and $1 million from the program for the Tatachilla shared-use trail.
City of Onkaparinga Mayor Moira Were said the new trails responded to community needs.
“The Willunga to Aldinga shared-use path provides a safe walking, running, cycling and tourism link between two of our most treasured towns for the first time, and fills an east-west gap in our shared-use path network,” she said.
“The Tatachilla shared-use path will help ensure Onkaparinga’s future leaders can get to and from school safely, encouraging healthy and active options for their commute.
“In both cases, feedback received from the community during the engagement process was paramount to shaping the concept plans, so a big thankyou to everyone who told us their thoughts about path routes and safety, protecting and retaining trees and more.
“A huge thankyou also to the Member for Mawson, Leon Bignell, whose support and the state government funding has made these trails possible.”