Council’s Walking & Cycling Plan 2022-2027(PDF, 8MB) (W&CP) aims to continue delivering on Council’s vision of more people of all ages and abilities walking and bike riding for transport and recreation purposes.

The W&CP contains an Infrastructure Implementation Plan, which sets out the projects to be delivered over its five-year term (2022-2027). The King William Road Bikeway project (Mike Turtur Bikeway/Greenhill Road) is one of the identified priority projects. The project forms part of the popular Mike Turtur Bikeway and Wood-Weller Bikeway routes and provides an important walking and cycling connection between Unley and Adelaide.

The section of King William Road between Greenhill Road and the Mike Turtur Bikeway is a vital link for pedestrians and cyclists, recording over 850 bicycle movements and 1,650 pedestrian movements daily (May 2024 count). Existing facilities are sub-standard, with narrow shared paths, limited crossings, and on-road bike lanes positioned between busy traffic lanes.

Council initiated the design phase in 2020–2021 to address these issues and create a safer, more connected corridor. 

In September 2020, Council endorsed two streetscape concept design options for King William Road (Mike Turtur Bikeway / Greenhill Road) for community consultation (Resolution C0339/20): 

• Option 1 – On-Road Separated Bike Lane; and 
• Option 2 – Off-Road Shared Path. 

Consultation was undertaken on the proposed concept design options between 13 October 2020 and 4 November 2020, with the key aim to seek community opinion on the preferred design option. 

Strong community support for improvements to the current bicycle facilities along King William Road (Mike Turtur Bikeway/Greenhill Road) was received, with only four of the 93 survey respondents not supporting either of the options presented. Of those who supported the project, it was evenly split between the two options presented, with a slight preference for Option 2, as follows: 

• 42 (45%) preferred Option 1
• 45 (48%) preferred Option 2. 

Council considered this matter at its meeting held on 27 April 2021 and endorsed Option 2 to progress to detailed design (Resolution C0489/21). 

Detailed design was undertaken by an engineering consultant, which commenced in 2021-2022. The detailed design includes Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) approval for traffic signal changes at the King William Road and Greenhill Road intersection and was completed in March 2024. 

The main difference between the endorsed concept design (2021) and the final detailed design (2024), is the inclusion of an enhanced pedestrian and bicycle refuge at the bend opposite the Church of Resurrection. This was a key outcome from the community consultation feedback to review the concept design of the proposed bicycle refuge to allow for pedestrians and additional trees.

Bikeway and pedestrian detours will be in place for safety reasons while works are undertaken. However, all efforts will be made to ensure access restrictions are kept to a minimum. 

To Project will result in changes to existing on-street parking following its completion. In total, eight of the existing 31 on-street parking spaces will be removed to accommodate the two new pedestrian refuges and footpath improvements to ensure they meet safety standards. Four on-street parking spaces will be removed at the southern bend. Of those, one will be removed to accommodate a DDA compliant footpath realignment adjacent to the service station and three spaces will be removed to accommodate the new pedestrian refuge south of Park Lane. 

During construction, there will be traffic condition changes. Mid-block, traffic capacity will be reduced during off-peak periods, with northbound traffic operating in a single lane. During peak periods, consistent with current arrangements, on-street parking will be restricted on the western side and eastern to facilitate two lanes of traffic. Two on-street parking spaces will be provided on the eastern side of the street, just north of the bend.

King William Road Streetscape Upgrade Project

Who is delivering the project?

The City of Unley is delivering the project and has engaged Beltrame Civil to undertake the construction works.

How is the project funded?

The project is funded in partnership between the City of Unley and the State Government through National Road Safety and Special Local Roads grant funding programs.

Timing and construction hours

When will works start and finish?

Preliminary works, including site establishment, service location and surveying, are scheduled to commence in mid February 2026. Construction is expected to be completed by July 2026, weather and site conditions permitting.

Staging / methodology

Works are sequenced in a North South progression to maximise efficiency, maintain safe vehicle and pedestrian movements and minimise impacts on pedestrians and residents. Each stage of works includes kerb renewal, pavement works, the reinstatement of footpath and pavers, verge reinstatement and service adjustments.

At least one lane in each direction will be maintained throughout the works. Works are scheduled for school holidays to deliver the most traffic sensitive central section under reduced traffic conditions.

Irrigation and landscaping will take place in June and July.

How will safety be managed?

All construction activities will be carried out with the health and safety of the community as a priority. Traffic management, signage and site controls will be in place while works are underway.