What is the Northern Expressway?

The Northern Expressway is a new 23 kilometre expressway in the Northern region. Construction commenced in September 2008 and the road opened in September 2010.

The Northern Expressway:

• reduces driving time and increase safety for travellers (car and freight) from the Mid North, Riverland and regional communities
• initially joins the Sturt Highway, linking Gawler with Port Wakefield Road, passing south of Angle Vale – and then linking to the Port River Expressway
• is the largest road construction in the state since the 1960's.

View the Northern Expressway route

Why is the Northern Expressway needed?

• To improve safety on Angle Vale Road and Main North Road.
• To reduce commuting time between Gawler and the Port of Adelaide, from the Riverland, from the Mid North and from northern regional areas.
• To reduce truck movement along Main North Road, Angle Vale Road, Heaslip Road and Salisbury Highway.
• To reduce travelling time for freight between Gawler and the Port of Adelaide.
• To contribute to achieving key targets in South Australia's Strategic Plan relating to economic growth, export potential and infrastructure in regional communities.

Where can I access the Northern Expressway?

• At the Gawler Bypass near Gawler
• At the interchange on Two Wells Road (south bound access only)
• At the interchange at Angle Vale Road
• At the interchange on Curtis Road
• At the interchange at Heaslip and Womma Roads
• At the interchange on Penfield Road (south bound access only)
• At Port Wakefield Road

View more information about local road access, roads that will be closing and roads that will remain open and new local roads

Where can I exit the Northern Expressway?

• At the Gawler Bypass near Gawler
• At the interchange on Two Wells Road (North bound exit only)
• At the interchange at Angle Vale Road
• At the interchange on Curtis Road
• At the interchange at Heaslip and Womma Roads
• At the interchange on Penfield Road (north bound exit only)
• At Port Wakefield Road

View more information about local road access, roads that will be closing and roads that will remain open and new local roads

Interchanges - what do they look like and how do they work?

There are five interchanges along the length of the Northern Expressway; Penfield Road, Heaslip and Womma Roads, Curtis Road, Angle Vale Road and Two Wells Road.

Bridge Structures will also be built over the Adelaide to Darwin rail line.

What is the Port Wakefield Road Upgrade?

The 9 kilometres of Port Wakefield Road between Salisbury Highway and Waterloo Corner Road was a divided four-lane road with a posted speed limit of 90 km/hr and varying road widths.

The Port Wakefield Road upgrade will increase its capacity to cater for traffic from the Northern Expressway and also improve safety.

It will result in:

• an upgrade of several intersections
• installation of traffic lights at the intersections with Ryan's Road and the Northern Expressway
• creation of an additional southbound traffic lane on Port Wakefield Road between the junction with St Kilda Road and Waterloo Corner Road
• replacement of existing direct access to Port Wakefield Road by access via service roads, where possible.

View further information on the Port Wakefield Road upgrade

How much did it cost?

The total cost of the project is $564 million. The South Australian Government has committed $125.2 million and the Australian Government $424.8 million, plus a further $14 million for additional ramps.

Who is paying for it?

The Northern Expressway is a joint venture between the South Australian and Australian Governments under the Australian Government's Land Transport Investment Program.

Who are the contractors for the construction?

Fulton Hogan York Joint Venture has been awarded the Northern Expressway Design and Construct contract for the Northern Expressway.

York Civil is a local company that has joined with New Zealand based Fulton Hogan for this project.

Fulton Hogan is a major civil and resources contractor that operates throughout Australia. York Civil is a South Australian market leader in bridge construction.

Construction commenced in September 2008.

How was the route selected?

Numerous broad studies occurred over the last 10 years leading to detailed investigations between 2003 and 2005 of a number of potential routes located in the general study area.

One route was selected following comprehensive assessment of a wide range of social, economic, environmental and cultural issues. These issues were identified though a stakeholder consultation process.

Key objectives that influenced the route selection were:

• minimising the level of severance to properties and communities from essential services and facilities
• delivering safety improvements
• minimising the number of properties that will need to be fully or partially acquired
• reducing the effect of noise on residential properties
• supporting the future use and operations of the Edinburgh RAAF Base 
• enabling future development of the proposed transport intermodal facility (located between Taylor and Heaslip Roads)
• minimising the loss of horticultural land production and assets
• reducing the effect on views
• minimising the impact on the Gawler River and flood plan. 

What other routes were considered?

Four main routes (and combinations of these routes) were developed and investigated during the Concept Planning Phase (2005-2006).

These routes have been discussed in the Environment Report.

After submission from the public on the environmental report the route was altered slightly. This route alteration can be viewed in the Supplementary Report to the Environmental Report.

View the Environmental Report and the Supplement to the Environmental Report

It is predicted that traffic volumes on the Northern Expressway will vary in different locations. It is predicted that in 2011 at the following locations there will be the following increase in volumes (vpd = vehicles per day):

• On Main North Road South from the Gawler Bypass from 34,000 vpd to 49,000 vpd.
• On Main North Road at Munno Para north of Womma Road from 35,900 vpd to 46,700 vpd
• On Main Road at Elizabeth Elizabeth South of Philip Highway from 40,700 vpd to 69,700 vpd.
• On Main North Road at Salisbury north of Kings Road from 41,300 vpd to 51,300 vpd.
• On Angle Vale Road east of Angle Vale from 5,700 vpd to 13,000 vpd. 
• On Heaslip Road north of Curtis Road from 8,800 vpd to 11,600 vpd.
• On Heaslip Road north of Waterloo Corner Road from 11,600 vpd to 27,600 vpd.
• On Port Wakefield Road south of Taylors Road from 14,000 vpd to 23,200 vpd.
• On Port Wakefield Road south of Waterloo Corner Road from 27,300 vpd to 34,900 vpd. 
• On Port Wakefield Road south of Martins Road from 47,600 vpd to 59,800 vpd.

What type of traffic will use the Northern Expressway?

Commercial vehicles will represent 15% of the predicted traffic on the Northern Expressway. Approximately 55% of the commercial vehicles will be B Doubles.

What measures will be taken to manage traffic conditions and keep road users informed?

Advanced warning signs will be in place to advise motorists when a change to traffic conditions is going to occur.


Information about any traffic changes will be made available in our regular project updates and on the website. Advance warning signs will also be posted and local residents may receive letters advising of changes. All traffic changes are regularly communicated to emergency services, councils, schools and other stakeholders.

If you need further information about the changes please contact the Northern Expressway Information Line on 1300 658 621.

What will be done to minimise construction noise for residents?

Construction activities will be conducted in accordance with the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure Framework for Management of Construction Noise and Environmental Protection Authority requirements.

A Construction Noise and Vibration Management Plan has been prepared as part of the Environmental Management Implementation Plan for the project.

When works are in close proximity to a home or business the project team will provide advanced notice to the property owners and advise of how the noise will be managed.

Will any works be done at night?

Night works will occasionally be carried out to minimise the impacts on the local road network. The majority of work will be carried out from 7am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday and 7am to 3.30pm on Saturdays. When night works are in a close proximity to a home or business the project team will provide advanced notice to the property owners and advise the likely duration of the works.

How will noise be minimised?

Noise is recognised as a key environmental issue in planning the Northern Expressway.

Construction and operation of the Northern Expressway will result in noise impacts to properties adjacent to the route. A detailed noise assessment has been carried out and noise treatments have been developed to meet the project’s noise objectives.

Individual noise treatment packages have been designed for each dwelling. The level of treatment depends on the amount of noise reduction that is required to achieve the relevant noise objectives.

The noise treatments have been developed by an acoustic engineer during the detailed design phase of the project.

How will the visual impact of the road be minimised?

The Northern Expressway will pass through a very flat landscape, therefore elements such as bridges, noise barriers, overpasses and interchanges will be highly visible from the surrounding area.

An Urban Design Framework has been developed to ensure good quality design solutions and visual consistency along the route. Measures to minimise the visual effects of the Northern Expressway include:

• locating the route and dominant structures away from dense residential areas to minimise visual and lighting impacts
• ensuring aesthetic consideration are integral to the design of structures
• densely planting tress, shrubs and ground covers around the interchanges and overpass embankments to help visually integrate the structures into the surrounding landscape
• planning vegetation to screen residential properties from the road
• retaining existing vegetation, where possible.

How is air pollution being handled?

A detailed air quality assessment has been undertaken for the project to ensure that the location and design of the road minimises the impact of vehicle emissions on the community. During construction, air quality will be managed in accordance with the Air Quality Management Plan and will include management measures such as:

• dust monitoring
• use of water carts to wet down soils
• stop-work procedures during forbidding weather conditions
• early installation of mulch and landscaping.

Is the project being assessed under the Development Act 1993?

No. The Development Act 1993 is automatically excluded when land is acquired under Section 20(5) of the Highways Act 1926. The environment assessment process was therefore conducted outside the Development Act 1993 but has the same intent and purpose in the decision making.

Is the project being assessed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999?

No. The Northern Expressway will not have a significant impact on any matter of “National Environmental Significance” under the EPBC Act therefore it will not be assessed under the Act.

I have a local construction business, is there going to be the opportunity for my business to be involved in the construction of the Northern Expressway?

To maximise local industry participation in the construction of the Northern Expressway, the project team is seeking 'registration of interest' from businesses involved in civil construction work in the northern area.

The details of companies that register their interest will be provided to the successful contractor or consortia group for their consideration.

How do I find out more about the project?

Contact the Northern Expressway Project Team Information Line on 1300 658 621

Interpreter Information 1300 658 621

Text message 1999NEXY

Email northernexpressway@saugov.sa.gov.au

Website www.northernexpressway.sa.gov.au