Roads near two new state schools in Angle Vale and Aldinga will receive close to $27 million in upgrades to improve safety for both pedestrians and motorists.

The state government has committed $26.5 million to deliver the much-needed road improvements to support the construction of the new Riverbanks College B-12 in Angle Vale ($17.1 million) and Aldinga Payinthi College in Aldinga ($9.4 million).

Construction is progressing well on the schools which are set to open in Term 1, 2022.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Corey Wingard says the government will deliver ancillary upgrades near the schools, creating approximately 130 full time equivalent jobs during the works (85 at Angle Vale and 45 at Aldinga).

“We are already seeing great progress being made on the construction of the new Riverbanks College B-12 in Angle Vale and Aldinga Payinthi College in Aldinga, and we will be delivering the road infrastructure upgrades that are necessary to support these schools and their students,” Minister Wingard says.

“These include a commitment to upgrade the existing junctions on Angle Vale Road, with Riverbanks and Frisby roads to signalised staggered T-junctions, and a commitment to construct a roundabout at the intersection of Quinliven, How and Bowering Hill roads in Aldinga.

“These upgrades will improve safety for all road users and encourage active travel to and from the schools.

“These two schools are both being built to accommodate up to 1675 students at each location, so by delivering these much-needed upgrades we are investing in road safety for the hundreds of students and their families.”

Both projects include Shared Use Paths and upgraded pedestrian facilities. This will include the construction of three dedicated pedestrian refuges as part of the new roundabout at Quinliven, How and Bowering Hill roads in Aldinga, and relocation of the existing koala crossing, to approximately 80 metres further east on Quinliven Road.

Works on both upgrades are expected to commence mid-2021, with all works expected to be completed by late 2021, weather permitting.

Meanwhile, the construction of both the Aldinga and Angle Vale schools continues to progress.

Roofing is now complete on all buildings at both schools and works throughout the educational buildings have progressed into the finishing trades with the installation of internal glazing, ceilings, wet area tiling and joinery, as well as the commencement of second fix works.

Externally, works are focused on the extensive hard and soft landscaping, sporting fields and hard courts, as well installation of the external shade structures and walkway network.