Prepare for your holiday journey

HOLIDAYMAKERS heading through Port Wakefield in the coming weeks are being asked to be patient and plan ahead.

Works are continuing on the $124.5 million Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway Duplication and $260 million Augusta Highway Duplication projects, which are jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian governments.

The Copper Coast Overpass opened to traffic in December 2021.

"It has removed all at-grade hazardous turn movements at the intersection of the Port Wakefield Highway, Copper Coast Highway and Augusta Highway, making it safer for road users especially during peak holiday periods," a Department for Infrastructure and Transport spokesperson said.

"Motorists should allow extra travel time during the upcoming Easter and Anzac Day long weekends (April 15-18 and 23-25), and school holidays."

To assist with traffic flow, some restrictions have been temporarily lifted as at 6am Wednesday, April 13.

"This includes two lanes being open to traffic for southbound motorists, from south of the Wakefield River Bridge to Shrike Road, to help reduce delays," the spokesperson said.

"Speed restrictions will remain in place through the continuing works, which are occurring on the Port Wakefield Highway, within and just north of Port Wakefield, and on the Augusta Highway, north of the new Copper Coast Overpass."

Northbound and southbound traffic will continue to travel in one lane each direction north of the town, via the Wakefield River Bridge.

"The new northbound Wakefield River Bridge is expected to be complete in October 2022," the spokesperson said.

"Northbound traffic through the township also remains reduced to one lane at all times as works continue.

"Please plan ahead and allow extra travel time as delays may be experienced during this period, and until project completion."

The spokesperson encouraged people to take care when workers are on site, to observe speed limits, restrictions and traffic controllers.

" Signage will be in place to alert motorists to the changed traffic conditions," they said.

"The department thanks motorists for their patience and cooperation while these important works are undertaken."

For more information, visit https://pw2pa.com.au/

Temporary arrangements

Southbound traffic (towards Adelaide) -- two lanes will be open to traffic from south of the Wakefield River Bridge to Shrike Road to help reduce delays, as much as practically possible. Southbound traffic will need to use the new, recently opened one-way southbound road east of the service stations.

A new, one-way service road has also opened for southbound traffic to access the service stations and bakery. Motorists wanting to access businesses on the western side of Port Wakefield Highway will need to use dedicated U-turn facility just north of Phillips Road and motorists wanting to access the town will continue to turn right at either Edward Street or East Street.

Northbound traffic (towards Port Augusta) -- two lanes will be open to traffic between Shrike Road and the 24 Seven Port Wakefield (Liberty) service station to help reduce traffic delays, before being reduced to one lane through the current work zone.