Magill Road Pedestrian Actuated Crossing

Design Feature

Type of project
Civic and Community Infrastructure / Urban Renewal
State
South Australia
Location
Urban
Magill Road is a major, state-maintained arterial road in Trinity Gardens/Beulah Park in South Australia. With no median and a gap of more than 900m between pedestrian crossings, it had for years created significant safety and access challenges for pedestrians and cyclists seeking to cross it.
In 2021, the City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters and the City of Burnside launched a successful bid to develop a pedestrian actuated crossing (PAC) at a strategic point on Magill Road. Supported by funding from the State Bike Fund and contributions from the two participating councils, the PAC – a crossing with white road markings, traffic lights and pedestrian push buttons – was strategically placed to address gaps in the active transport network.
The result is a crossing that encourages safe connectivity to local pedestrian networks and strategic bike routes, including the north-south BikeDirect route that will eventually link Torrens River Linear Park, Payneham, the Beulah Road bicycle boulevard and Burnside Civic Centre. The PAC has also eliminated a 900-metre deviation for young people travelling to school and offers safe and convenient access to bus stops that were previously largely inaccessible from the other side of the road – an important outcome for children, older people and those with limited mobility.
Collaboration that builds more connected cities
The success of the project is the result of shared funding, good communication and collaborative programming between local councils and state government agencies, as well as with residents who were consulted in the early stages of the work. The PAC balances the competing needs of pedestrian connectivity and effective traffic flow, demonstrating the power of small actions to drive big changes in walking and wheeling infrastructure.
Project team
  • Department of Infrastructure and Transport
  • City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters
  • City of Burnside BE Engineering (traffic modelling and design)

    Project cost
    $810,000, comprised of:
    • $400,000 from the State Bike Fund
    • $205,000 from City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters
    • $205,000 from the City of Burnside.

      Health value
      • By creating new opportunities for walking and bike riding, both as way of commuting to work and school and as a leisure activity, the PAC supports better physical and mental health outcomes for people of all ages. Regular physical activity is linked to a range of health benefits, including better cardiovascular health.1
      • Better connectivity to local bike networks and public transport stops encourages people to walk and cycle rather than drive, reducing the emissions and noise pollution associated with vehicle use that can be harmful to human health.
      • Providing safe and direct access to local schools supports children and young people to become more active, helping to establish habits that will benefit their future health and wellbeing.
      • The crossing also enables independent mobility for children and young people seeking to access amenities on either side of Magill Road, including playgrounds, sporting fields and tennis courts.

      Economic value
      • The PAC broadens the catchment of the Beulah Road bikeway and River Torrens shared linear path, two significant active transport investments.
      • Physical activity is linked to increased productivity at work. Professionals and students who walk or ride to work or school are likely to experience improved job performance.2
      • Active transport uptake can decrease peak hour congestion along Magill Road. Congestion costs the Australian economy billions of dollars every year in infrastructure maintenance and lost productivity.3
      • Households whose members cycle to work and school can save on the costs associated with motor vehicle ownership. By contributing to an environment that’s conducive to safe and accessible cycling routes, the PAC also supports this safe and efficient mode of transport for residents north of Magill Road who use bike networks to commute to the Adelaide city centre.

      Environmental value
      • Increased active transport usage can reduce emissions associated with vehicle usage. Road transport like cars and trucks make up the majority of transport-related pollution.4
      • Supporting children to walk and ride to school can reduce the traffic load along residential streets, resulting in quieter, safer suburbs.
      • The use of a bespoke shallow footing for one of the lampposts erected as part of the PAC protected a significant tree and valuable underground services that could have been damaged by traditional infrastructure.

      Social value
      • The PAC improves equity of access to public transport stops, schools and other amenities for people of all ages and abilities.
      • By encouraging people, including children, to use active and public transport networks, the PAC supports independent mobility and a more connected and liveable city.
      • Walking and using public transport create new opportunities for social interaction and connection. Frequent social contact is associated with better overall health.5

      Use value
      • The Magill Road PAC has resulted in a more connected active transport network and a safer, more convenient and more appealing environment for walking and riding bikes.
      • Bike Adelaide’s 2025 Super Tuesday Count showed that 51 people (pedestrians and cyclists) used the crossing between 7–9am, compared to 5 cyclists during the Super Tuesday Count in 2023, which took place prior to the PAC’s installation (pedestrians were not included in this count).
      • Usage numbers are expected to increase as the north-south BikeDirect route is completed and wayfinding signage is installed.

      References and further reading


      Stay informed. Sign up to our newsletter.

      I agree that I have read and I accept the Heart Foundation's Privacy Statement.