Gawler East Link Road
Client:
Bardavcol for the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, Government of South Australia
Location:
Gawler, SA
In 2010, Tonkin was engaged to provide integrated strategic planning, environmental and concept design services to the Town of Gawler to determine the best alignment option for the Gawler East Link Road.
In January 2018, upon completion of the planning phase, we were engaged by Bardavcol as the lead design consultant within the design and construct team, to deliver this key project for the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI).
What we did
The Gawler East Link Road is a new distributor road that caters for significant residential expansion in the Gawler East Development Area.
The scope of works included design and construction of:
- A new 5.5km link road, and a new 100m- long, 17m-high three span bridge across the South Para River
- New Bebo arch
- Upgrades to existing arterial and local roads to improve access to the new distributor road
- Three signalised intersections and four roundabouts
- Realignment and reconstruction of an existing flood control dam.
- New potable water main and rising sewer main along the South Para Bridge.
Tonkin provided integrated engineering services for design management and detailed design including:
- Horizontal and vertical road geometry design, plus road drainage design
- Hydrological modelling
- Pavement and structural design
- Road lighting and electrical design
- Environmental Impact Assessment.
Tonkin engaged Arup, WAX Design and HDS Australia as design partners to provide specialised input for the $55 million project.
What we acheived
Timely delivery was critical at each stage of this project. Tonkin proactively identified project opportunities and risks, applied technically robust treatments and provided strong project management processes to deliver design outcomes on time, on budget and to the agreed quality requirements.
Tonkin successfully delivered the project’s extensive design works over a 24 month period, delivering the detailed design as a series of nine design packages.
The delivery of the key design elements was staggered to allow for ongoing stakeholder review throughout the design process. This ensured milestone targets were achieved.
Tonkin’s staggered design approach also allowed Bardavcol to prioritise key packages and plan critical construction activities, such as signalising of the Main North Road intersections and construction of the South Para Bridge, which enabled construction to commence on time.
The delivery of the key design elements was staggered to allow for ongoing stakeholder review throughout the design process. This ensured milestone targets were achieved.
Tonkin’s staggered design approach also allowed Bardavcol to prioritise key packages and plan critical construction activities, such as signalising of the Main North Road intersections and construction of the South Para Bridge, which enabled construction to commence on time.
Construction of the Gawler East Link Road commenced in late 2018 and the road was opened to commuters in October 2020.
How we made a difference
The project comprised a broad range of stakeholders, including DPTI, the Town of Gawler, property developer Springwood Communities, service authorities and the wider community – all with competing and often conflicting aspirations.
Tonkin, together with the broader project team, undertook open and transparent stakeholder consultation throughout the design process. We worked closely with the broader project team to integrate stakeholder requests with the project’s core objectives.
Operational and user requirements and current networks were also considered in the design. For example, to provide a safer environment for school children crossing the road when arriving and leaving school, we designed Barnet Road to include a koala crossing and ‘Way2Go’ signage.
Tonkin facilitated smooth delivery by proactively liaising with the affected authorities to accommodate new and realigned services for all intersections, including signalised intersections and roundabouts.
Tonkin delivered enhanced project outcomes by providing continuity of key personnel from strategic planning and concept design through to detailed design and construction verification.
The Gawler Link Road provides motorists with a safer and faster way to drive between East Gawler and Main North Road. Drivers can now bypass the town centre, reducing congestion, travel times, vehicle emissions, and the likelihood of crashes.