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Adelaide CBD Infrastructure: The Planning Path to Current Projects

Years of coordinated investment decisions have led to the major construction now underway across the central city.

By Adelaide Cbd News Desk · Published 25 July 2026

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The $15.4 billion North-South Corridor, including its 10.5 km River Torrens to Darlington section with two tunnels, stands as the largest transport construction in Adelaide's history and is scheduled for completion in 2031 to create a 78 km non-stop motorway passing through the CBD.

Transport Corridor Planning Origins

Decisions to build this corridor grew from long-term needs to improve traffic flow through central Adelaide. The project incorporates the River Torrens to Darlington tunnels as its core element, linking existing motorway sections into one continuous route. This approach reflects earlier state-level commitments to address congestion along key north-south routes without repeated stops in the CBD area.

Precinct and Health Facility Timelines

The $500 million Market Square redevelopment around Gouger and Grote streets is expected to complete later in 2026, while the $3.2 billion new Adelaide Women’s and Children’s Hospital remains under construction with an expected opening in the early 2030s. These timelines show how separate planning streams for commercial space and health infrastructure have converged in recent years, each advancing through distinct approval and funding stages before reaching active construction.

Entertainment and Housing Investment Layers

Over $1 billion in public and private investment, including $213 million from the SA government, backs the major upgrade of Festival Plaza at the Riverbank Entertainment precinct, which is nearing completion. Parallel to this, the $200 million Franklin Tower on Franklin Street is under construction to add housing to the CBD, while the $200 million Victoria Tower on Grote Street is already complete with 300 apartments. Together these efforts illustrate how entertainment precinct upgrades and residential towers have been sequenced alongside larger transport and health works.

With the North-South Corridor due for 2031 completion and Market Square finishing later this year, attention now turns to managing ongoing works around Gouger and Grote streets and the Riverbank area while the Adelaide Women’s and Children’s Hospital advances toward its early 2030s opening.