The function that Paech Road plays in the local road network is changing.

Land development has been occurring in recent years on both sides of Paech Road being Aston Hills and Glenlea subdivision.  Where this is occurring the speed limit has been lowered to acknowledge the changing adjacent land use and to reflect a speed zone more appropriate for an urbanised area.  This progressive lowering the speed limit will continue as land development growth extends further south along the road.  It is probable that south of Potts Road, 80kph will be retained as the speed limit and the form and function of the road from Potts to Wellington will remain relatively unchanged and of a rural nature.  As development occurs progressively along the road we will continue liaising with DIT to implement speed limit reductions

The section of Paech Road north of Potts Road to Sims Road will, over time, take a more urban form and likely will incorporate new road junctions with new side roads.  Some of these new road connection may become the priority link and this will be achieved through local realignment of Paech Road to form T-junctions with the new side road.  Ultimately, the road will be very much an urban road with an urban speed zone of 50kph. The Paech Road corridor will where possible include footpaths along the road with targeted crossings of the road for pedestrian and trail links. Targeted street lighting will be included as new intersections are made with land development.

Paech Road Upgrade Design

What we’re doing

Design of an upgrade to this important link road to cater for the increased growth in the east of Mount Barker.

How much it is going to cost

$40,000

Timeframes

2022/23 & 2023/24

Background

Documenting the corridor form and function and identify key opportunities and constraints that may require more detailed investigation and design.

The Progress

May 2023

Council has appointed Tonkin Consulting to undertake a detailed concept design for the upgrading of Paech Road Mount Barker between Sims Road and Potts Road.

The concept design will consider road widths, kerbing in some sections, a shared path (pedestrians and cyclists) on one side, storm water drainage, pedestrian (refuge) crossings, and intersection improvements.

Preliminary investigation has been undertaken including a detailed survey of all existing features, location of existing services (SA Water, Telstra, etc) and a geotechnical investigation to determine the underlying pavement requirements.

Council will consult with the community at the 50% concept design stage (when a basic layout will be available) seeking comments before proceeding to the final concept design. It is expected that this will occur during August/September 2023.

September 2023

A concept design for Paech Road is progressing and is planned to be presented to the October Council meeting seeking resolution to engage with the community on the concept.

November 2023

Council is working with its selected consultants to prepare a draft concept design for Paech Rd as a priority as part its endorsed annual business plan.  We're actively working on the concept design and paying special attention to the interfaces with adjacent developments, which are currently underway, and we are on schedule to deliver this.

Currently, there are no footpaths along Paech Road as it has always been a rural road with very few residences and low demand for pedestrian connectivity. With the recent and planned growth of housing in this area Council has identified that there will be a need for new footpaths and hence the need to plan for an upgrade. The draft concept design includes new paths and pedestrian crossings.

Pedestrian facilities are provided within each of the new developments and will ultimately be connected to Council’s paths and trails network as growth continues in this area.

Subject to Council endorsement, we're planning to engage with the broader community in early 2024 and look forward to receiving a range of feedback and inputs which can be considered in the next stage of design development.

Intersection with Connector Road Design

What we’re doing

Design of a junction at the intersection of Paech Road and Heysen Boulevard

How much it is going to cost

$75,000

Timeframes

2022/23

Background

Infrastructure planning has been in progress for Paech, Sims, Hartman Roads with a design brief for detailed concept designs issued  We would expect to have a consultant designer on board by January 2023 with a view to have the concept design completed by the end of the financial year.  It is our intent then to engage with the community on the upgrade proposals for this section of road and begin to plan detailed designs and construction documentation (in a staged way) following these processes.

In the interim we will undertake maintenance as required to hold the road in a satisfactory condition.  We will consider whether some surface shape correction is needed to improve the ride quality of the road.

We understand that in early 2023 the Aston Hills developer will have completed road construction on Heysen Boulevard to give a continuous length of the Heysen Boulevard between Paech and Springs Rd.  We anticipate this will lift a significant volume of Aston Hills residential traffic off the Paech, Sims and Hartman segments of road north of Heysen Boulevard.

The Progress

In progress.