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Govt extension secures city bikeways funding deal

The State Government has granted the Adelaide City Council another six months to build separated bikeways through the CBD, safeguarding a $12 million funding deal for the project, InDaily can reveal.

Jan 29, 2018, updated Jan 29, 2018
An artist's impression of city council plans for a redeveloped Frome Street bikeway. Image: supplied

An artist's impression of city council plans for a redeveloped Frome Street bikeway. Image: supplied

Late last year, Lord Mayor Martin Haese admitted his council would not meet the June 2018 construction deadline for its cycling infrastructure deal with the State Government.

The concession made it unclear whether the redevelopment of Frome Street bikeway and the construction of a new separated bikeway running east-west through the city would still be funded.

But Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan told InDaily this morning that Government would offer the council a six-month extension on the projects.

“Providing safer, separated bikeways for cycling in the city is a priority for both government and the council, so we will extend the timeframe that the council can complete these projects by another six months,” he said.

Haese said he was pleased by the decision.

“Council appreciates that the Minister has extended the funding agreement to (the) end of the year,” he told InDaily.

“In the interim, (the) council has remained focused on delivering a high-quality upgrade to Frome Street.

“Council will soon commence further consultation with the community along the proposed east/west corridor, after which the project timelines will be finalised.”

One million dollars from the $12 million fund was allocated to underwrite a new point-to-point bike share scheme for Adelaide, but the launch of dockless commercial bike share schemes in the CBD last year means that that money will now be used for something else.

“We will be working with the Adelaide City Council about the most appropriate use of the $1 million which was to be used for a bike share program,” Mullighan added.

Part of the Frome Street bikeway development is already open to cyclists but the upgrades are yet to be complete.

Haese said he had received “very good” feedback on the project so far.

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