Project Summary

Continuing growth in freight volumes has given rise to a range of increasingly complex challenges for Council. The road network in the upper-North region is subject to continuously increasing tourism and commercial traffic with expanding mining operations, and tourism destinations such as the Flinders Ranges to the North of Orroroo.

Current traffic data collected on the Southern side of Orroroo (Feb-April 2021) shows heavy vehicle numbers of approximately 8,650 per month or more than 100,000 p/year using RM Williams Way. When the freight traffic is combined with commuter and tourist traffic the total figure increases to more the 15,000 traffic movements per month. As these figures demonstrate, the freight movement accounts for more than 54% of all traffic and is affecting the existing road related infrastructure as visible in the photo below. Upgrade of existing road infrastructure is requiring significant improvement, so it can to facilitate current and future development and traffic demand.

The existing heavy vehicle bypass has traffic management issues at the Minburra Road and Fourth Street intersections, with the turning area at Fourth Street restricting larger road trains & wide loads, see picture below. Consequently, a large number of heavy vehicles elect not to use the existing bypass route and travel through the Main Street (Second Street) of Orroroo as a means to transit through the town posing significant risk to residents and increasing numbers of tourism visitors.

The current route travels along North Terrace immediately adjacent residential dwellings and two sporting/recreation grounds where the safety of residents, particularly children are a concern as demonstrated in picture below. Dust and noise pollution and exhaust emissions are also ongoing environmental and health hazard issues with the current route.

Commencing in 2020, a key objective of the Orroroo Heavy Vehicle Bypass seeks to improve road safety and efficiency for freight transport around the township of Orroroo, by constructing new bypass road overtop of existing Railway Terrace, and diverting heavy vehicles away from North Terrace on a new section of bypass on Weighbridge Road, reducing the impact of heavy vehicles upon residents and recreational areas and reducing the number of associated intersections along the route.

The upgrade of Railway Terrace Orroroo and the relocation of the Heavy Vehicle Bypass away from North Terrace and onto Weighbridge Road before re-joining RM Williams Way at the Northern end of Orroroo. The project will improve road safety and efficiency for freight transport around the township of Orroroo, by constructing new bypass road overtop of existing Railway Terrace, and diverting heavy vehicles away from North Terrace on a new section of bypass on Weighbridge Road, reducing the impact of heavy vehicles upon residents and recreational areas and reducing the number of associated intersections along the route.

Stage 1 Progress

• Council engaged an external project engineer (Mace Engineering).
• Geotechnical and land surveys were completed.
• Final designs and specification completed.
• All associated land acquisition was completed.
• An official plan of subdivision was also been deposited with the Lands Titles Office in order to open the roadway across the former rail corridor in accordance with the designs.
• Blasting and crushing of rubble completed.
• Following an open request for tender process, Council engaged OTM in the construction of the Bypass who commenced on the 26th June 2021.
• Vegetation clearance completed.
• Existing road removal and rework of road base completed on Weighbridge Road section.
• Construction of new road base underway.

Stage 2

Stage 2 of 2 includes the re-alignment of the Southern intersection with RM Williams Way, reconstruction of Railway Terrace/North Terrace intersection and construction of the Northern intersection of the new Bypass and RM Williams Way to DIT standards. Completion of Stage 2 is subject to funding.

Project Delivery

The completed project is due for delivery by the end of October 2022. Although the Stage 1 construction is construction is scheduled for completion before 31^st October 2021.

Like all construction projects around Australia at present, this project is not immune to supply shortages (materials and services) caused by COVID-19 restrictions and competing stimulus projects. Council will endeavour to update this page with respect to any changes in the anticipated completion timeframe.

Bypass Economic Impact Assessment Report