COMMUTERS will finally be able to travel along Main North Road at Evanston without driving through major roadworks, with upgrades to the Potts Road and Tulloch Road intersections now complete.

The State Government announced last week major works were finished and only minor works remained on the two projects, which are set to form part of the Gawler East Link Road (GELR) project.

It comes after transport minister Stephan Knoll turned on the traffic lights at the Potts Road intersection in April before the upgrades were finished, causing major traffic delays on Main North Road.

The traffic lights were then running to a timed system, which was causing problems as the Tulloch Road and Potts Road lights would often run out of sync.

As reported in The Bunyip last week, residents on Morrow Avenue have grown frustrated with traffic delays on their small side street as a result of the timed lights.

Now sensor strips have been installed at the intersection and light changes will be made according to traffic flows.

Mr Knoll said the completion of both projects, particularly the $7.5 million Tulloch Road upgrade, would improve traffic flows in the area.

“The key drivers at this intersection were to improve traffic flow and safety for drivers and pedestrians by installing new traffic lights and pedestrian crossings,” he said.

“Tulloch Road is a busy shopping precinct and the lack of traffic signals had led to longer travel and wait times, and the increased risk of serious accidents.

“In 2017, the former government set aside $4 million for an upgrade of this intersection, but this just wasn’t enough.

“That’s why we put another $3.5 million on the table to make sure this job was done properly the first time.”

As well as installing new traffic lights, the road has been duplicated along the stretch next to the Gawler Green and Gawler Park Homemaker Centre shopping areas and Gawler & District College.

Mr Knoll also reaffirmed the GELR project would be completed by the end of September, with the Potts Road intersection, which will be the southern entry point for the $68 million road, now finished.

Minor finishing works, such as landscaping and disability-safe improvements will be completed by August.