Major contractor begins works on $98M intersection upgrade in Adelaide

Construction has now begun on the upgrade to the Portrush Road and Magill Road intersection in Adelaide.

BMD Constructions has been awarded the contract for the major works, which are hoped to reduce congestion and improve safety and travel times.

The South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport has undertaken service relocations and early investigation works along Portrush Road and Magill Road to facilitate the intersection upgrade.

Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the jointly funded $98 million project is supporting around 78 full time-equivalent jobs during construction.

“Around 62,000 vehicles travel through the intersection each day and from 2015 to 2019 there were 50 crashes, including 19 injury-causing crashes and 31 property damage crashes,” Fletcher said.

“Even one crash and one injury on our roads is one too many, which is why delivering safe and efficient roads is a key priority of the Federal Government.”

South Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Corey Wingard MP, said Portrush Road forms part of the National Land Transport Network and the Outer Ring Route, providing an important north-south connection from the South Eastern Freeway around the City of Adelaide.

“Private, commercial, freight and public transport users all currently experience significant delays through the intersection leading to increased costs of travel,” Wingard said.

“Portrush and Magill Roads are high-frequency public transport corridors and freight routes so these upgrades will boost connectivity and business efficiency.”

Federal Member for Sturt, James Stevens MP, said he was pleased to see major construction starting today, injecting much-needed jobs and economic stimulus that will benefit the entire community by getting cash flowing across local businesses.

“This has been a notorious intersection for locals for some time, our governments have listened and we have acted by funding this critical upgrade,” Stevens said.

“Locals and visitors alike will soon be reaping the benefits of a safer, more efficient route, with the upgraded Portrush and Magill Road intersection expected to be complete next year.”

The $98 million project is jointly funded by the Federal and South Australian governments under the $4 billion Urban Congestion Fund.

Traffic will be flowing through the intersection by the end of 2021 with completion expected in early 2022.