PW2PA Port Wakefield Overpass artist impression November 2020
DCIM100MEDIADJI_0018.JPG
DCIM100MEDIADJI_0014.JPG
4. Aerial View of the Port Wakefield Overpass Construction Site (May 2021)
10. First Bridge Beam Install for the New Port Wakefield Overpass (July 2021)
16. Last Bridge Beam Installed on the New Port Wakefield Overpass (August 2021)

Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway Duplication

Project Overview

The Australian and South Australian governments have committed $124.5 million ($99.6 million from the Australia Government and $24.9 million from the South Australian Government) to the project. The Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway Duplication Project is reducing traffic congestion on two important state highways and improving road safety.

Port Wakefield Highway typically carries nearly 9,000 vehicles per day through the town of Port Wakefield, however, this can double during holiday periods. The town, located approximately 100 kilometres from Adelaide, offers travellers to the Yorke Peninsula and the northern area of the state an opportunity to stop, refuel and refresh before continuing their journey. The surrounding community supports the numerous local businesses that line the highway and, in turn, supports local employment.

The final project design was built on the previous concept designs developed by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, released in August 2018 and revised in January 2019, September 2019 and November 2019, following feedback from the community and local stakeholders. It made further improvements based on feedback from stakeholders and the wider community to give the best possible outcome and a cost-effective solution.

The evolution of the concept design included:

  • two lanes in each direction through the Port Wakefield township with provisions for safe U-turn movements;
  • a two-lane carriageway for northbound vehicles through the Port Wakefield township, allowing for increased parking and landscaping opportunities, as well as safer vehicle and pedestrian movements;
  • a second two-lane carriageway for southbound vehicles running behind the service stations, allowing for greater flexibility for traffic to run in both directions on one other carriageway in the event of an incident;
  • a realigned Balaklava Road intersection with the new southbound Port Wakefield Highway, allowing for safer turn movements for the large vehicles that often use Balaklava Road;
  • a new bridge and a replacement of the existing bridge across the Wakefield River;
  • a new two-lane overpass for traffic travelling southbound from Copper Coast Highway to Port Wakefield and for traffic travelling along Augusta Highway to Copper Coast Highway, maintaining all existing movements at the intersection but greatly improving safety; and
  • improved parking, urban design and landscaping within the township to increase the attractiveness for travellers to stop and spend time.

Project works completed to date include:

  • duplication of the highway before and after the township;
  • two lanes in each direction through Port Wakefield, with allowance for safe U-turns;
  • a new two-lane overpass for traffic travelling southbound from the Copper Coast Highway to Port Wakefield, and for traffic travelling along the Augusta Highway to the Copper Coast Highway. The Port Wakefield Overpass opened to traffic three months ahead of schedule and just in time for the December 2021 holiday season.
  • the removal of hazardous turns at the intersection of the Port Wakefield, Copper Coast Highway and Augusta Highway;
  • improved pedestrian access and landscaping in the township of Port Wakefield;
  • realignment of the Balaklava Road intersection to allow for safer turns; and
  • new bridges over the Wakefield River.

Some intermittent lane and speed restrictions will continue to be required for finishing works, ahead of the project’s full completion in 2024. 

Taken together, these improvements provide a safer road environment for all users of these key routes in regional South Australia. 

As part of the delivery of urban design elements and artworks for the project, the Alliance has been collaborating with Aboriginal stakeholder groups, Wakefield Regional Council and other key stakeholders in the design and implementation of cultural elements to strengthen local identity, cultural respect and interpretation of place. 

The project supported approximately 95 full-time equivalent jobs per year during the construction period.

Additional project information can be found on the Department for Infrastructure and Transport’s website: Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway Duplication – Department for Infrastructure and Transport – South Australia (dit.sa.gov.au)

Timeline

Activity
Estimated Date
Early works (preliminary investigations)
Completed
Site establishment
Completed
Construction commencement
Completed
Final design (excluding urban design aspects)
Completed
Port Wakefield Overpass opening
Completed
Port Wakefield township and finishing works
In progress
Project completed
2024

Project Updates

November 2023

October 2022

September 2021

April 2021

October 2020

August 2020

Works Notices

Nightworks and Changed Traffic Arrangements - Port Wakefield Highway and Balaklava Road - June 2024

Nightworks and Changed Traffic Arrangements - Port Wakefield Highway and Balaklava Road - April 2024

Changed Traffic Arrangements - Port Wakefield Overpass - January 2024

Changed Traffic Arrangements - Port Wakefield Overpass - December 2023

Changed Traffic Arrangements - Balaklava Road - October 2023

Changed Traffic Arrangements - Port Wakefield Highway - October 2023

Changed Traffic Arrangements - Port Wakefield Highway - June 2023

Port Wakefield Night Works Notice - March 2023

Changed Traffic Arrangements - Port Wakefield Highway - September 2022

Asphalting Night Works - Port Wakefield Highway - August 2022

Asphalting Night Works - Port Wakefield Highway - July 2022

Easter Holiday Period Traffic Arrangements - April 2022

Port Wakefield Township Traffic Switch Notice - March 2022

Port Wakefield Night Works Notice - March 2022

Temporary Phillips Road Closure Notice - February 2022

Port Wakefield Night Works Notice - January 2022

Port Wakefield Overpass Opening Notice - December 2021

Copper Coast Traffic Switch Notice - November 2021

Port Wakefield Night Works Notice - October 2021

Read More

Port Wakefield Night Works Notice - August 2021

Port Wakefield Night Works & Changed Access Notice - August 2021

Port Wakefield Night Works Notice - July 2021

Port Wakefield Night Works Notice - May 2021

Port Wakefield Changed Traffic Arrangements Notice - May 2021

Pedestrian Detour Notice - March 2021

Fact Sheets

Piling Works

Designs and Artist Impressions

Read More

News

New plans for Port Wakefield follow PW2PA project.

New plans for Port Wakefield follow PW2PA project.

As the PW2PA team completes its small list of remaining works in Port Wakefield township,…
<strong>PW2PA Alliance Projects Improving Freight Network</strong>

PW2PA Alliance Projects Improving Freight Network

In June 2023, the Joy Baluch AM Bridge in Port Augusta opened fully to two-lane,…
Celebrating Steps on the Career Path

Celebrating Steps on the Career Path

Edwin Davey, General Superintendent, PW2PA Alliance, at centre with the latest group of graduates. On…

Port Wakefield Community Celebration

Please join us for a community celebration at the Port Wakefield Oval between 2pm and 5pm…

Fast Facts

$124.5M

$124.5 million Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway Duplication Project is jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian governments

Benefits

Improved safety for all road users
Improved traffic flow during peak travel times
Improved freight productivity

Improved

On street parking
Pedestrian facilities
Landscaping

Materials

72,900m2 of pavement
14,800 tonnes of asphalt
5,800m of concrete barriers
342,000m3 of earthworks
2,000m3 of concrete
340 tonnes of reinforced concrete

Vehicle Use

16,000 vehicles per day during peak periods, with 21% being heavy vehicles

761b WuStrasse Burste, Amsterdam, NL