Oh Joy! Big bridge milestone at the crossroads of Australia

Wednesday, 15 March 2023

In a major milestone for the Joy Baluch AM Bridge in Port Augusta, traffic is now running on both spans of the newly duplicated bridge concurrently for the first time.

From last night, a single lane of traffic is now operating on each span, with vehicles heading west to use the refurbished original section, and those heading east driving on the newly built section.

Speed limits of 40 km/h will remain in place while final work is completed. This will include kerb and gutter work as well as the completion of the shared use paths.

The Joy Baluch AM Bridge is an important link in the National Land Transport Network at Port Augusta, carrying over 17,000 vehicles per day and providing access across the Spencer Gulf for commuter, commercial and freight vehicles in the northern region of South Australia.

It is also a key tourist connection to the Eyre Peninsula, northern South Australia and beyond.

The $200 million duplication is being jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian governments, with the Australian Government contributing $160 million and South Australian Government $40 million.

The project has supported 114 full-time equivalent jobs per year during construction, which began in 2020.

The project includes 132 bridge beams and 46 piles, constructed from around 1,500 tonnes of Australian-produced steel, and over 2,000 metres of concrete barriers.

It also features two of the largest precast, single-span prestressed concrete girders ever constructed in South Australia. The 36-metre-long and 1.8-metre-high girders form part of the new shared use path.

The bridge is expected to be fully open, with dual lanes in each direction, later in the year: completing the duplication project. At that time, it is anticipated the signalised Mackay Street intersection will also open to traffic.

For more information visit the Joy Baluch AM Bridge Duplication Project Webpage.