The Federal Liberal and Nationals Government and the South Australian Marshall Government have announced the successful tenderer for the major works contract to form the Port Wakefield to Port Augusta Regional Projects Alliance.
A consortium of CPB Contractors Pty Ltd, Aurecon Pty Ltd and GHD Pty Ltd will design and construct the $200 million Joy Baluch AM Bridge Duplication and the $124.5 million Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway Duplication works.
Local South Australian company, McMahon Services has been given the opportunity to deliver key aspects of these important works under this Alliance which shows the commitment to local and small to medium enterprises to be part of the Alliance.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the projects were important ones for the people of South Australia.
“The Joy Baluch AM Bridge is an important freight and passenger link to access the Upper Spencer Gulf in Port Augusta. This project will make the crossing safer for both local traffic and tourist vehicles and make the road more reliable for truck drivers carrying freight,” Mr McCormack said.
“The Port Wakefield project will improve traffic flow and reduce congestion for all road users, particularly during peak hour traffic and public holidays. It’ll also improve safety and freight productivity along the National Land Transport Network.
“This investment by the Federal Liberals and Nationals is all part of our record $100 billion infrastructure plan getting Australians to where they need to be sooner and safer.”
Premier Steven Marshall said the State Liberal Government had built a $12.9 billion pipeline of infrastructure works to grow the economy and create local jobs.
‘We are spending more on infrastructure over the next four years than any other four-year period in South Australia’s history,” said Premier Marshall.
“This record infrastructure investment will help create thousands of jobs, grow our economy and boost productivity around our state, particularly in our regions.”
SA Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government said these regional projects were part of the record regional road and infrastructure spend by the Marshall Liberal Government.
“After 16 years of neglect by Labor, the Marshall Government is prioritising regional projects like the Port Wakefield and Joy Baluch upgrades,” said Minister Knoll.
“We are fixing over 1,000 kilometres of regional roads to improve safety and help save lives on our country roads."
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said he was pleased to see the announcement of the successful tenderers for the two projects.
“The Joy Baluch project will improve freight efficiency, travel times, overtaking opportunities and safety for all road users,” Mr Ramsey said.
“Most importantly it will provide pedestrians a safe, separated walkway across the Gulf.
“The Port Wakefield Road typically carries 8,800 vehicles each day but this can increase to around 16,000 during holiday peak periods.
“High holiday traffic volumes and conflicting traffic movements at the intersection with the Copper Coast Highway cause significant congestion and delays.
“Both of these projects are long overdue and users are really looking forward to work getting under way.”
SA Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis said thousands of South Australians who use travel to Yorke Peninsula would have a safer journey.
“We are fixing the notorious ‘crash corner’ that was ignored by Labor for 16 long and painful years,” said Mr Ellis.
“This upgrade will help reduce travel times, bust congestion especially around holiday periods and also improve road safety.”
Other works which form part of the Alliance works include the planning study for overtaking lanes and duplication on the Augusta Highway.
Major construction work for both projects are expected to begin in the second half of 2020, with completion expected in 2022, weather permitting.
For more information on the projects visit:
Joy Baluch AM Bridge Duplication https://dpti.sa.gov.au/infrastructure/road_projects/joybaluchAMbridge
Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway Duplication https://www.dpti.sa.gov.au/infrastructure/road_projects/port_wakefield_overpass_and_township_duplication
Port Wakefield Project background;
Following further design work and consultation with the local community, the Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway Duplication Project scope was expanded in November 2019, to include a two-way overpass and other safety improvements, now estimated at $124.5 million. The project includes:
- Two lanes in each direction through the Port Wakefield Township with provisions for safe U-turn movements.
- A realigned dual carriageway through the Port Wakefield Township, allowing for increased parking and landscaping opportunities, as well as safer vehicle and pedestrian movements. This will make it safer to build and reduce disruption to motorists during construction.
- A realigned Balaklava Road intersection with the Port Wakefield Highway, allowing for safer turn movements.
- New bridges across the Wakefield River.
- 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 new overpass will remove all hazardous at-grade turn movements at the intersection of the Port Wakefield Highway, Copper Coast Highway and Augusta Highway.
The project will improve traffic flow and reduce congestion for all road users, particularly during peak travel times and public holidays, and improve safety and freight productivity along the National Land Transport Network.
Joy Baluch Project background;
The Joy Baluch AM Bridge is another important link in the National Land Transport Network at Port Augusta, providing access across the Spencer Gulf for commuter, commercial and freight vehicles in the northern region of South Australia. It is also a key tourist connection to the Eyre Peninsula, northern South Australia and beyond.
The duplication of the bridge will improve road safety and efficiency for all users, improve freight productivity and importantly improve the resilience of this critical road link.
The proposed works include:
- duplication of the current bridge, with a new road bridge to provide two lanes for eastbound traffic movements across the Spencer Gulf;
- reconfiguration of the existing bridge to provide two lanes, and conversion of the raised bicycle lane, to now provide a shared use pedestrian and cycle path, for east and westbound movements;
- dedicated shared use pedestrian and cycle path and an extension of the shared use path along the Augusta Highway from the Mackay Street junction to Flinders Terrace intersection (new bridge side of Augusta Highway);
- widening of approach road and embankments to achieve a continuous four lane road from Burgoyne Street to Mackay Street;
- installation of traffic signals at the junction of Augusta Highway and Mackay Street and an additional second right turn lane at the junction;
- installation of bridge barriers to both the new and existing bridges; and
- improved earthquake resistance and barrier upgrade of the bridge over the Adelaide to Darwin railway line.