The Darlington Upgrade project

The Darlington Upgrade Project opened July 2020, slashing commute times for thousands of drivers.

The $620-million project delivered a non-stop motorway underneath Flinders Drv and Sturt Rd, which is used by more than 100,000 motorists each day.

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 were completed in January 2021. The additional lane, between Stirling and Crafers, acts to ease congestion caused by buses, reduce travel times and improve safety.

A $35m pavement reconstruction project between the Crafers interchange and the Tollgate commenced in February 2021 and is expected to be completed by mid-2021, weather permitting. 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.

The intersection, previously configured as 2 separate T-junctions about 120m apart, is being converted to a 4-way intersection. Through traffic between Springbank Rd and Daws Rd was first allowed in late April 2021, however major works will still be ongoing until the end of the year.

When complete, road users should expect improved travel times and safety at this busy intersection.

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 late 2021.

Road users would have noticed 2 bridge spans installed over Regency Rd in early January 2021, which are now open to traffic. Speed and lane restrictions will be in place until the project is completed.

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.

Road users are advised to expect delays between Grenfell Rd and The Grove Way while these works are ongoing. 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 Hwy, and a grade-separated interchange at the notorious Copper Coast Hwy 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.

Grand Junction Rd, Hampstead Rd and Briens Rd upgrade

Major works are currently underway to upgrade the intersection with Grand Junction Rd, Hampstead Rd and Briens Rd in Northfield.

Significant safety and efficiency improvements are being made by installing an additional through lane on Grand Junction Rd, a second right turn lanes onto Hampstead Rd from Grand Junction Rd and onto Grand Junction Rd from Briens Rd.

Project completion is expected in early 2022.

Main North Rd, Kings Rd and McIntyre Rd upgrade

Major works are currently underway to upgrade the intersection with Main North Rd, Kings Rd and McIntyre Rd in Parafield. These works also include the installation of a third travel lane between Kings Rd and Kesters Rd.

Traffic flow on Main North Rd has been a major cause of concern for RAA members, with this section being nominated as Adelaide’s second riskiest road in our 2019 Risky Roads survey.

Major works commenced in early 2021, and are expected to be complete by mid-year, weather permitting.

Ovingham Level Crossing Grade Separation

Major construction to separate road and rail on Torrens Rd in Ovingham is set to commence by mid-2021, with early works currently underway.

This is a significant win for all road and rail users, and one of five major level crossing removal projects RAA have been advocating for over several years.

The project will deliver a bridge on Torrens Rd over the freight and passenger rail lines, where boomgates are currently down for 22% of the time during peak periods.

The project is currently scheduled for completion in 2023, weather permitting.

Major projects in 2021

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

• Glen Osmond Rd and Fullarton Rd upgrade
• Main North Rd and Nottage Tce upgrade; and
• Woodside Rd and Old Princes Hwy upgrade in Nairne