About the Project

What is the Northern Connector?

The Northern Connector would involve:

• the construction of an expressway standard road in a new corridor between the interchange connection of Port Wakefield Road and the Northern Expressway and Salisbury Highway (a distance of approximately 14 kilometres)
• an upgrade of Salisbury Highway between Port Wakefield Road and South Road (approximately 3 kilometres)
• a double track freight rail link from the Adelaide to Darwin/Perth rail line near Pellew Road, east of Port Wakefield Road, to Dry Creek, within the central corridor of the proposed new link road.

The key features of the rail link would include:

• a double track freight rail from the main north-south rail line (Adelaide to Darwin/Perth) near Pellew Road on the Northern Expressway through to Dry Creek
• rail tracks located centrally between road carriageways with no level crossings
• a rail connection to the main line north of the proposed intermodal terminal at Penfield.

Northern Connector proposed route
(PDF)

What are the benefits of the Northern Connector?

Initial investigations reveal that the Northern Connector would:

• reduce truck movements and traffic congestion on Port Wakefield Road and the Salisbury Highway
• improve access to Adelaide for road freight transport travelling via the Sturt Highway and Port Wakefield Road
• make other roads safer by diverting freight traffic away from the local road network and residential communities
• provide a new rail link that would remove often disruptive heavy freight trains and interstate passenger trains from northern suburban areas such as Salisbury, Parafield and Mawson Lakes. These long trains can cause major delays and traffic problems in peak hours, particularly in the vicinity of Park Terrace, Salisbury.

Port Wakefield Road would revert to an arterial road serving the industrial and commercial industries in the City of Salisbury. The adjacent industrial precinct would continue to operate as normal, with Port Wakefield Road providing easy movement and access to the connections for road and rail freight.

The road would:

• provide the final link in a free flowing strategic northern corridor between the Port of Adelaide and the Riverland and Barossa Valley
• improve safety for road users by reducing freight traffic, particularly from Port Wakefield Road
• improve traffic conditions along Port Wakefield Road and Main North Road
• improve freight efficiency and export opportunities
• provide a safer, faster connection to suburban destinations such as Adelaide Airport, sporting venues, beaches and businesses in the southern and western suburbs
• reduce travel times for commuters travelling to and from the northern suburbs
• reduce overall vehicle emissions due to smoother traffic flow.

The freight rail link would:

• improve safety and enhance quality of life for nearby residents, through the reduction of freight rail traffic through the suburban area to the east of Port Wakefield Road
• reduce the environmental impact of heavy rail freight transport through suburban communities
• improve rail freight transport efficiencies through a higher speed and shorter connection to port and intermodal facilities (estimated 13 minute travel time saving)
• improve access to Adelaide and the Port of Adelaide for rail freight transport travelling from the north and west of country South Australia.