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- Augusta Highway Duplication - Stage 2
- Augusta Highway Duplication - Stage 3 - Business Case
- Eyre Highway Widening and Upgrade – Business Case
- Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass – Business Case
- Heysen Tunnels Refit and Upgrade
- Kangaroo Island Road Upgrades
- Marion Road and Sir Donald Bradman Drive Intersection Upgrade
- Murray Bridge to South East Links - Business Case
- Old Murray Bridge Refurbishment
- Road Safety Package - Extension
- Station Refresh Program
- Tea Tree Plaza Park 'n' Ride
- Truro Bypass
- Infrastructure Projects
- Public Transport Projects
- Road Projects
- North-South Corridor
- Road Management Plans
- Strzelecki Track Upgrade and Sealing Project
- Goodwood, Springbank and Daws Road Intersection Upgrade
- 'Hahndorf Township Strategic Traffic Planning Study' and 'Hahndorf Township Improvements and Access Upgrade Project'
- Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway Duplication
- Joy Baluch AM Bridge Duplication
- Flagstaff Road Upgrade
- Golden Grove Road Upgrade
- Cross Road and Fullarton Road Intersection Upgrade
- Portrush and Magill Road Intersection Upgrade
- Glen Osmond Road and Fullarton Road Intersection Upgrade
- State-Wide Road Improvement and Renewal Works
- Modernising Road Maintenance
- Main North Road and Nottage Terrace Intersection Upgrade
- Grand Junction, Hampstead and Briens Road Intersection Upgrade
- Mitcham Hills Road Corridor Upgrade
- Adelaide Hills Intersections Upgrade Initiative
- South Australian Rural Roads Safety Package
- South Eastern Freeway Pavement Rehabilitation: Tollgate to Crafers
- South Australian Rural Highway Corridor Upgrades
- North East Road and South Para Road Junction Upgrade
- Gorge Road and Silkes Road Junction Upgrade
- Nairne Intersection Upgrade
- Fleurieu Connections
- Angle Vale Riverbanks College Junction Upgrades
- Aldinga Payinthi College Intersection Upgrade
- Transport Network Planning Studies Program
- Marion Road and Sir Donald Bradman Drive Intersection Upgrade
- Sturt Highway Corridor Upgrade
- Salisbury Highway Asphalt Resurfacing Works
- Regional North-South Freight Route Upgrade
- Truro Bypass Project
- Port Road between Grand Junction Road and Earle Avenue, Cheltenham
- Horrocks Highway Upgrades
- APY Lands Main Access Road Upgrade
- Long Valley Road Improvement Works
- Majors Road Upgrade
- Nottage Terrace and North East Road Intersection Upgrade
- Brighton Road Intersection Upgrades
- Karoonda Highway Upgrades
- Princes Highway Upgrades
- Heysen Tunnels Refit and Safety Upgrade
- South Eastern Freeway Pavement Rehabilitation: Bridgewater to Callington
- Fitzroy Terrace Bicycle and Pedestrian Actuated (push button) Crossing Project.
- Wellington Road and Heysen Boulevard Roundabout
- Heaslip Road and Curtis Road Intersection Upgrade
- Amy Gillett Bikeway Extension Project
- Marine and Bridges Projects
- Completed Projects
- Park Terrace, Robe Terrace, Walkerville Terrace and Mann Road Intersection Upgrade
- State Aquatic Centre and GP Plus Health Care Centre
- Adelaide Convention Centre
- Adelaide Crafers Highway
- Bakewell Underpass
- Gawler Rail Revitalisation
- Belair Line Renewal
- Darlington Upgrade Project
- Mawson Connector
- Port Adelaide Viaduct Upgrade
- Tramline Extension - Victoria Square to City West
- Victor Harbor Road / Main South Road Junction
- Riverbank Bridge
- Bald Hills Road Interchange
- Humbug Scrub Roundabout
- Port Road, Queenstown bike lanes
- Penola Northern Bypass Project
- Lobethal Freight Access Upgrade
- Main South Road, Candy Road and Lander Road Intersection Upgrade
- Streets for People: Hart Street
- Regional Bridges Project
- Greenhill Road Median Safety Improvements
- Greenhill Road and Portrush Road intersection safety upgrade
- Main North Road Realignment via Anama Lane
- Park Tce/Fitzroy Tce/Torrens Rd Upgrade
- Findon Road Painted Median Scheme
- Transverse Line Marking - Cudlee Creek
- Marion Road Planning Study
- Blythewood Road Pedestrian Crossing and Painted Median Project
- Naracoorte Roundabout Upgrades
- O G Road and Turner Street Junction Upgrade
- Arthur Road
- Fosters Road Painted Median Scheme
- Main North Road/Dalkeith Road Intersection Upgrade
- Gawler Street Pedestrian Crossing, Nuriootpa
- O.G. Road and Payneham Road Junction Upgrade
- Signalisation of Bridge Road and Maxwell Road, Pooraka
- Regency Road and Churchill Road, Prospect, Intersection Upgrade
- North East Road and Sudholz Road Safety Improvements
- Main North Road Median Upgrade - George McCullum Road and Curtis Road
- Kroemer Crossing Roundabout Upgrade
- Torrens Street and Crozier Road Roundabout
- Port Road, West Lakes Boulevard and Cheltenham Parade intersection upgrade
- Fullarton Road Upgrade – Magill Road to Beulah Road
- Onkaparinga Valley Road / Woodside Road Roundabout
- Birkenhead Bridge
- Gawler East Link Road Project
- City Tram Extension
- Oaklands Crossing
- Flinders Link Project
- Adelaide Railway Station Refurbishment
- South Road Superway
- Thomas Foods International access
- Safety Upgrades on Eight Country Roads
- Stebonheath and Womma Roads Intersection Upgrade
- Stephen Terrace and Ninth Avenue Pedestrian/Cyclist Improvements
- Main North Road, Kings and McIntyre Roads Intersection Upgrade
- Port River Expressway
- Railcar Depot Relocation
- Rail Care
- Useful Links
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
Speed Restrictions and Roadworks
While associated delays and disruptions can be frustrating for motorists, speed restrictions in place for road works are a safety requirement when workers and equipment are on site—keeping both road workers and road users safe.
There are times restrictions remain when it appears there is no construction activity. However, safety is just as important and regulations are in place to ensure unnecessary traffic disruptions are avoided.
Why are restrictions often in place when no workers are present, and why do restrictions remain in place when it appears a project is complete?
The Department is obliged to ensure a safe environment for all road workers and road users, and the speed limit applies to any hazardous area where roadworks are progressing, whether workers are present or not.
In some cases, roadworks may appear complete when, in fact, further work such as line marking may be ongoing. The temporary speed limits are in place for the safety of all road users and, whilst not always obvious, are critically important.
All roadworks are undertaken in accordance with the Road Traffic Act 1961, and the Australian Standard AS 1742.3 – Traffic control for works on roads.
Instances where temporary speed limits may be in place also include the requirement for testing to ensure compliance with specific requirements.
For example, the Department often uses a type of asphalt in the surface layer known as Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA), which is widely used across Australia. SMA has been chosen because it provides a durable and rut resistant surfacing material, suitable for heavily trafficked roads. Other benefits include its reduced traffic noise and reduced water spray during wet weather.
Due to its high binder content, SMA generally exhibits lower skid resistance following placement, due to excess bitumen on the aggregate surface. During this period (which can be approximately four to six weeks—sometimes longer, depending on traffic volumes and weather), temporary speed restrictions need to remain in place to ensure the safety of the public until the excess bitumen has sufficiently worn. Tests are undertaken to determine when the road surface is safe to reinstate the posted speed limit. The test results, together with appropriate risk analysis, ensure posted speed limits are reinstated as quickly as reasonably possible, and sometimes incrementally.
The Department appreciates the patience and understanding of road users during this time.
What happens when incorrect speed limits remain in place at roadworks?
Companies responsible for traffic management during roadworks face fines of up to $1,250 if incorrect speed limit signage is in place when work is not taking place and there is no requirement from a safety perspective.
These regulations, under the Road Traffic Act, ensure that contractors do not leave speed limit signs up when they are not needed—holding up traffic and creating unnecessary disruptions.