Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway Duplication

Project Overview

The Australian and South Australian governments have committed $124.5 million ($99.6 million from the Australian Government and $24.9 million from the South Australian Government) for the Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway Duplication Project. The Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway Duplication Project is a joint initiative of the Australian and South Australian Governments and will reduce traffic congestion on two important State Highways and improve road safety on one of the State’s key intersections. Building on work previously undertaken by the South Australian Government, alterations to the previous designs have been made to deliver a safe, economic project that benefits both local residents of the Port Wakefield area as well as the wider South Australian community.

Port Wakefield Road typically carries 8,800 vehicles per day, however, this can increase to around 16,000 during holiday peak periods. As a result of high holiday traffic volumes and conflicting traffic movements at the intersection with the Copper Coast Highway, lengthy queues have been experienced causing substantial delays. The Augusta Highway and Copper Coast Highway intersection north of Port Wakefield is one of the State’s busiest regional road intersections being a national and regional link between Adelaide, Port Augusta and the Yorke Peninsula.

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.

A Concept Design was released in August 2018. On 28 January 2019, the South Australian Government announced new design options were being considered, which resulted in an updated Concept Design, announced in November 2019, taking into account feedback from stakeholders. After further consultation and refinements, the design was finalised in November 2020.

The updated Concept Design 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; and
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.

View the Concept Design Images and Plans

Latest News

Visit the PW2PA Alliance for the latest information about the Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway Duplication Project.

In addition to the website, you can also contact the project team on the 24/7 project enquiry line: 1300 161 407 or email at enquiries@pw2pa.com.au if you have any queries or require further information.

PW2PA Alliance

On 1 March 2020, the Australian and South Australian Governments announced the successful tenderer for the major works contract to form the Port Wakefield to Port Augusta (PW2PA) Regional Projects Alliance.

A consortium of CPB Contractors Pty Ltd, Aurecon Pty Ltd and GHD Pty Ltd will design and construct the Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway duplication project as well as the Joy Baluch AM Bridge Duplication project in Port Augusta.

South Australian company, McMahon Services will also deliver key aspects of these important works demonstrating the Government’s ongoing commitment to engage local and small to medium enterprises as part of its record infrastructure program.

Project Time Frames

Major construction for the project commenced in late 2020, with completion expected in 2024, weather permitting.

Contact us

For information on the Port Wakefield Overpass & Highway Duplication Project please contact:

P: 1300 794 880
E: dit.ptwakefieldproject@sa.gov.au

Written correspondence can be directed to:

Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway Duplication Project
Department for Infrastructure and Transport
GPO Box 1533
Adelaide SA 5001