South Australians will be spending less time in traffic this long weekend with motorists able to access the new Northern Connector from Saturday morning, 7 March.
The $867 million, six-lane, 110 km/h motorway has created 480 jobs each year and will open up over 43 kilometres of non-stop corridor.
The Northern Connector will have three new lanes in each direction and offer drivers the opportunity to bypass the traffic on the existing route along Port Wakefield Road and the Salisbury Highway.
Premier of South Australia Steven Marshall said the Northern Connector would help drive tourism and jobs in South Australia’s beautiful northern regions.
“The opening of the Northern Connector will reduce travel times for South Australians and interstate and international visitors who want to visit our beautiful regions like the Barossa, Riverland, Yorke Peninsula, Mid North and beyond,” said Premier Marshall.
“The Northern Connector will be opening over the March long weekend so people heading north or home over the weekend will have a safer, smoother and faster journey.
“Projects like this not only create jobs during the construction phase, but they also help boost tourism in the regions and economic productivity which supports job creation.”
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the Northern Connector was a game-changer for Adelaide motorists.
“This project is the next piece in the 78-kilometre North-South Corridor that will connect the South Road Superway and Northern Expressway,” Mr Tudge said.
“It also includes 16 kilometres of cycle and pedestrian paths, providing a safe space for all road users.”
South Australian Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government Stephan Knoll said the Marshall Government had built a $12.9 billion pipeline of infrastructure works that would deliver more projects to reduce travel times and create jobs.
“The opening to traffic on the Northern Connector is only a few days away now and motorists will now have 43 kilometres of non-stop North-South Corridor between the South Road Superway and Gawler,” said Minister Knoll.
“This will improve safety and massively reduce the time people are stuck in traffic, particularly on the busy Port Wakefield road.”
The six-lane motorway will have a posted speed limit of 80 km/h for the first few weeks to enable driver familiarisation and completion of testing.
The Southern Interchange will be reduced to 60 km/h for driver safety.
Finishing works will also continue which may require some lane and speed restrictions, and a temporary closure, to ensure the safety of motorists and workers accessing the site. Advance notice will be provided.
The Australian Government has committed $694 million to the project, with $173 million from the South Australian Government.
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