Construction of two new pedestrian refuge crossings in Middleton’s main street is set to start in February 2024 with completion in March. 

Early in 2023 it was announced that following years of advocating for safer pedestrian crossings, the state government would fund four new ones on the south coast.

The funding of up to $380,000 would be made through the Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) and Alexandrina Council would undertake the project management to deliver the construction works. 

Provided under the Inner and Middle Adelaide Cycling Improvement Program, the funding was to support three pedestrian refuge crossings on Goolwa Road Middleton, and one pedestrian crossing facility at the intersection of Hays Street and Porter Street, Goolwa. 

Following a competitive tender process, it was found that the $380,000 would only be able to fund two of the four crossings. 

Based on community feedback on priority crossings, the council in discussions with DIT has agreed that the funding can be allocated to construct two pedestrian refuge crossings on Goolwa Road, near the Middleton Tavern and the IGA supermarket in Middleton. 

The crossings will include kerb ramps, handrails on both sides of the road and a centre refuge. 

DIT has confirmed that additional funding may be considered in future funding rounds for the additional two crossings, a third in Middleton, near the Middleton Arts and Crafts Community Centre, and one at the intersection of Hays Street and Porter Street, Goolwa. 

Alexandrina Council Chief Executive Officer Nigel Morris says Goolwa Road, running through the main street of Middleton, is a state government road.

“Council has been advocating DIT for a number of years to fund three pedestrian refuge island crossings in the main street, and one in Goolwa, to improve pedestrian safety,” he says.

“Whenever I attend the Middleton Town and Foreshore Association community meetings, I am always asked two questions, when is Middleton finally going to get their pedestrian crossings and when is Middleton going to get a road bypass? 

“It is great to be able to provide a timetable on the pedestrian crossings and now the pressure will be on for the bypass. Traffic and pedestrian safety are always a major concern for the Middleton community. 

“The proposed designs are for Pedestrian Refuge Islands only and not Zebra-type Crossings so they should not disrupt traffic flow. 

“We will continue to strongly advocate for the additional two pedestrian crossings, one in Middleton and one in Goolwa.” 

Project updates can be found on the Alexandrina Council website.

Proposed pedestrian refuge crossing locations for Middleton. Courtesy for Alexandrina Council.