The Darlington Upgrade project

The Darlington Upgrade Project began in late July, slashing commute times for thousands of drivers.

The $620-million project includes a non-stop motorway underneath Flinders Drv and Sturt Rd.

It’s expected to be used by around 73,000 motorists each day, according to the state government.

If you’re looking for how to navigate the project, the Department for Infrastructure and Transport has prepared a series of videos to help.

South Eastern Freeway

Major works to convert an emergency lane into a third travel lane on the South Eastern Freeway officially kicked off in August 2020 and were completed in January 2021. Final pavement testing and commissioning is expected to be completed by the end of February.

An additional lane, between Stirling and Crafers, will help to ease congestion caused by buses, reduce travel times and improve safety.

A $35m pavement reconstruction project between the Crafers interchange and the Tollgate is commencing in early February 2021 and is expected to be completed by July 2021. This is a much-needed improvement but will have significant impacts on traffic for the duration of the works.

RAA advises to plan ahead and allow additional travel time or take alternative routes while works are underway.

Goodwood, Springbank and Daws Rd Intersection upgrade

The State Government is spending $60 million on the upgrade of Springbank, Daws and Goodwood roads.

Currently, the intersection is configured as 2 separate T-junctions about 120m apart.

This layout creates significant congestion in both directions and creates safety issues for drivers, with 50 reported crashes in the past 5 years.

Preliminary works started on the project in early June, with the entire upgrade expected to be finished by the end of 2021. When complete, road users should expect improved travel times and safety at this busy intersection.

Flinders Link

The Flinders Link project has provided a rail connection to Flinders University, as well a pedestrian and cycle path over South Rd.

Work on the project was completed in late 2020, with the first service operating on 29 December 2020.

Flinders train line information and timetables can be found at adelaidemetro.com.au.

Regency Rd to Pym St

The Regency Rd to Pym St motorway will connect the Torrens-to-Torrens lowered motorway to the South Rd Superway.

Work on the $354-million project started in late 2019, with completion expected in 2022.

Road users would have noticed 2 bridge spans installed over Regency Rd in early January 2021, which should be open to traffic by mid-2021.

The upgrade will provide drivers with 3 non-stop lanes in each direction, helping to improve travel times and reduce congestion during peak-hour traffic.

Golden Grove Rd

A $20-million upgrade of Golden Grove Rd between One Tree Hill Rd and The Grove Way was completed in late 2020.

This upgrade included a new roundabout at the intersection of Golden Grove Rd and Hancock Rd (identified as one of the top 10 risky intersections in RAA’s 2017 survey), road widening, footpaths, cycle lanes and improved drainage.

Stage 2 of the project has now commenced with $30 million in additional funding going towards:

• construction of additional lanes at the intersection of Golden Grove Rd, The Grove Way and Yatala Vale Rd
• cycle lanes, footpaths, lighting and drainage upgrades; and
• intersection upgrades at Grenfell Rd, Milne Rd, Highgrove Rd and North East Rd.

These works are expected to be completed by late 2021.

Portrush Rd and Magill Rd intersection upgrade

Early works for the $98 million upgrade at the intersection of Portrush Rd and Magill Rd have commenced, with major construction expected to start by mid-2021.

The upgrade will improve safety, travel times and accessibility for more than 60,000 vehicles that use the intersection daily by:

• installing additional through and turning lanes on Portrush Rd
• extending and installing additional turning lanes on Magill Rd
• installing continuous bicycle lanes on all approaches; and
• revising traffic signals and phasing.

The intersection upgrade is expected to be completed by early 2022.

Flagstaff Rd upgrade

The $32.9m upgrade of Flagstaff Rd will install a fourth lane between Hyland Avenue and Bonneyview Rd in Flagstaff Hill.

This will allow for 2 continuous traffic lanes in each direction, rather than the current 3-lane road, with flow reversed in the centre lane which is often the cause of confusion.

This important upgrade will improve safety, travel times and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. A cycle lane will be provided on the descent, with a new shared-use path to be constructed on the ascent.

Construction is expected to commence in early 2021 and be completed by the end of the year.

Port Wakefield overpass and duplication

Construction has commenced on the $124.5m Port Wakefield overpass and highway duplication project.

When complete, motorists can look forward to 2 lanes in each direction through Port Wakefield to the intersection with the Copper Coast Highway, and a grade-separated interchange at the notorious Copper Coast Highway intersection, known as ‘crash corner’.

Parking and streetscaping will be improved in Port Wakefield with safer pedestrian and vehicle movements provided.

This project is expected to be completed in 2022.

Joy Baluch AM Bridge duplication

Construction has commenced on the Joy Baluch AM Bridge duplication project in Port Augusta.

This upgrade involves the construction of an additional bridge adjacent to the current Joy Baluch AM Bridge, which will allow for 2 lanes of traffic in each direction, and safer access for pedestrians and cyclists.

This upgrade will also allow significant productivity improvements for freight travelling through Port Augusta, as the existing bridge is the single sealed road link between the east and west of Australia.

This project is expected to be completed in 2022.

Major projects in 2021

Work is expected to start on these major projects in 2021:

• Glen Osmond Rd and Fullarton Rd upgrade
• Grand Junction Rd, Hampstead Rd and Briens Rd upgrade
• Main North Rd, Kings Rd and McIntyre upgrade
• Main North Rd and Nottage Tce upgrade; and
• Ovingham Grade Separation.