Northern Expressway and Port Wakefield Road Upgrade

Project Description

The project involves:

• the construction of a new, two-way expressway standard road between Gawler and Port Wakefield Road (23 kilometres); and
• an upgrade of Port Wakefield Road from north of Taylor Road to the Salisbury Highway (11.5 kilometres).
  

Key features of the project between Gawler and Port Wakefield Road include:

• four lane, two-way expressway with divided roadway;
• speed limit of 110 kilometres per hour;
• full speed connection at Gawler, linking with the Gawler by-pass;
• entry to the expressway via interchanges; and
• overpasses across the expressway.

Key features of the project between north of Taylor Road and the Salisbury Highway include:

• additional traffic lanes on Port Wakefield Road in some sections;
• improvements to some junctions;
• installation of new and upgrading of existing traffic lights to increase capacity;
• improvements to the Salisbury Highway/Port Wakefield Road bridge; and
• improved safety by removing some right turn access points by closing some median openings, providing left in/left out arrangements for connecting roads, and adjusting U-turn facilities.

Benefits

The Expressway is anticipated to reduce through-traffic volumes on local roads by providing an attractive alternative route.

Allowing interstate traffic to bypass Main North Road will reduce transport costs and make the Adelaide services more accessible to Barossa and Riverland region communities. The traffic volume through Elizabeth and Salisbury will be reduced. Similarly, improving Port Wakefield Road will support regions north of Adelaide and will lower transport costs.

Coupled with the Port River Expressway, the Northern Expressway will contribute to a high standard road from Gawler to Port Adelaide of about 43 kilometres.

Funding

The Australian Government has committed $451.2 million to the project in partnership with the South Australian Government.

Timetable

Construction on the Port Wakefield Road upgrade section commenced in February 2008 and was completed in February 2009.

Construction on the Northern Expressway commenced in September 2008 and will be completed by mid 2010.