The major contract to design and build the $985 million Northern Connector project in South Australia has been awarded.
Lendlease has been awarded construction contract for the project, paving the way for approximately 480 jobs a year during construction in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
The Northern Connector is part of the 78km North-South Corridor, stretching from Gawler in the north to Old Noarlunga in the south.
The Northern Connector project will include:
- Four road interchanges
- Northern Interchange at Port Wakefield Road/Northern Expressway
- Waterloo Corner Interchange at Port Wakefield Road/Waterloo Corner Road
- Bolivar Interchange at Port Wakefield Road/Bolivar Road
- Southern Interchange at Port River Expressway, South Road Superway and Salisbury Highway Connector
- A motorway with three lanes in each direction, with a posted speed of 110kmh
- A 16km long, three metre wide separated shared path for cyclists and pedestrians that will connect to the existing 23km long path adjacent to the Northern Expressway.
Through the tendering process, Lendlease was required to detail how it would maximise the opportunities for local workers and businesses in its supply-chain to capitalise on this almost billion dollar investment.
Approximately 6,500 tonnes of reinforcing steel and approximately 1,000 tonnes of structural steel for the project are expected to be sourced from Arrium in Whyalla.
Major works are expected to start in the third quarter of 2016 and the project is scheduled for completion in December 2019.
The Australian Government is committing $788 million to the project, with $197 million from the South Australian Government.
SA Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan said, “The Northern Connector will provide enormous productivity benefits for freight travelling between Adelaide and the northern, western and eastern parts of South Australia, as well as to and from other states.
“The six-lane motorway is expected to significantly improve freight access to Port Adelaide and the industrial areas of Adelaide’s north and north-west, bypassing six sets of traffic lights.
“It will also deliver enormous benefits for the 52,000 vehicles a day expected to use it when completed.”
