The $15 billion T2D project will boast a fast and cutting-edge route to take motorists from north to south (and bypassing the Adelaide CBD) in a matter of minutes when it opens in 2031.
But before the underground work proper can start at the Hilton intersection of South and Sir Donald Bradman Drive, a rather special blessing needed to take place.

Fr Lancy D’Silva, the dean of St Francios Xavier’s Cathedral, and assistant dean Fr Matthew Newman joined the state minister for infrastructure and transport Joe Szakacs and federal MP Louise Miller Frost, whose government is funding about half of the overall project cost she said.

Despite the rain that left a deluge of puddles earlier in the morning, the occasion was upbeat throughout and a curiously personal affair.

The PPE attired guests were ushered down flights of steps to the base of the 15 metre high tunnel boring machine (TBM) that will plough its way north to help create the ground-breaking 10 kilometre stretch of tunnels and motorway.

As with the two other recent ceremonies, a statue of St Barbara – who protects underground workers – was blessed, this time by Fr Lancy, there was a reading by Fr Matthew from the book of Isiah, (brief) speeches were given and a bottle was smashed against the TBM named Elizabeth in honour of the South Australian suffragette Elizabeth Webb Nicholls.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport of South Australia Joe Szakacs had clearly done his homework and talked about Elizabeth’s work in the late 19th century and how she had lived her latter days with her husband in a small house near the Cathedral on Wakefield St.

Living in the more complicated times that we do today, he hoped the new tunnels would help make life a little simpler for everyone.

Conversely, a small drone meanwhile flew overhead throughout to record the occasion and show the old is never far from the new.