Heavy Vehicle Access Upgrade – Gardner Street and Fowler Terrace Road Reconstruction in Price, Yorke Peninsula

The Heavy Vehicle Access Upgrade Project is a milestone effort to enhance road safety, improve accessibility, and strengthen local connectivity, specifically within the Cheetham Salt Facility. This collaborative undertaking by the Federal government and Light Regional Council is supported financially by the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program.

Our core objective is to deliver an unrivaled level of service, accommodating designated freight and commuting traffic throughout the region. This initiative includes the reconstruction of a 2.2km roadway spanning Gardner Street and Fowler Terrace, alongside a major intersection upgrade at Gardner St & Fowler Terrace to accommodate heavy vehicle turning movements.

Jakelco Contracting successfully completed the project within the stipulated six-month timeline, earning commendation from the council for our performance

The primary aim of the Heavy Vehicle Access Upgrade project was to develop a freight-efficient route to facilitate both the Cheetham Salt Facility’s operations and the local residents’ travel needs, paving the way for potential economic growth within the Yorke Peninsula Region.

Additionally, the road upgrade is expected to create a safer driving environment, considerably
reducing the risks of head-on and side-swipe road incidents

The project encompassed the reconstruction of approximately 2.2km of a sealed, undivided road, inclusive of sealed shoulders, along with upgrades to the Gardner St and Fowler Terrace intersection. The detailed work scope comprised:

• Completion of 5000m3 of earthworks, involving clearing and grubbing, topsoil stripping and stockpiling, bulk earthworks cut to fill, fill placing and compaction, drainage swales, batter trimming, and spreading of topsoil.
• Execution of drainage works, encompassing trenching, subgrade and blinding preparation, installation of varying sizes of reinforced concrete pipes and box culverts, and associated headwalls.
• Execution of 26,000m2 pavement works, including the placement and compaction of diverse subbase and basecourse materials, along with the supply and installation of over 6000T pavement materials.
• Installation of Kerb & Gutter, Spoon Drain and Pram ramps for pedestrian crossing within the Price township.
• Subgrade and Subbase Stabilisation using lime/cement stabilant applied with a stabiliser.
• Management and completion of approximately 20,000m2 spray seal and 300T asphalt works.
• Traffic management during the Gerald Roberts Road & Gomersal Road Intersection upgrade, accommodating an AADT of 198 vehicles/day and a 27.8% heavy vehicle frequency on Gardner Street, and an AATD of 96 vehicles/day and a 41.3% heavy vehicle frequency on Fowler Terrace.
• Coordination of several subcontractors, including Fulton Hogan (sealing) with a contract value of $500k, Hallett Group (rubble supply) valued at $450k, Zancott Traffic (traffic control) valued at $800k, SPA (Stabilisation) valued at $150k, Exact Kerbing (kerbing) valued at 90k and Action Linemarking (line marking) valued at $20k.
• Execution of a Dilapidation Survey and Dust Control with two water trucks on site during the construction phase.
• Management of primary stakeholders, namely Cheetham Salt Facility and the local community.
• Supply and installation of linemarking, safety barriers, and signage.

In an effort to revolutionize our approach and deliver quality work within the designated timeline, we integrated several innovative strategies throughout the project lifecycle:

• Advanced Technology Integration: Utilization of modern technology and machinery
  significantly increased the efficiency and quality of our work. Technologies such as GPS-guided machinery expedited our earthworks and paving operations.
• Sustainable Practices: Sustainability was at the heart of our project, with conscious choices made to reduce our environmental footprint. We implemented strategies such as efficient machinery use, and dust control practices to minimise negative environmental impact.
• Enhanced Stakeholder Engagement: We adopted proactive engagement strategies with major stakeholders, such as regular updates and open communication channels, which facilitated smoother operations and reduced potential conflicts.
• Safety Innovation: Our commitment to road safety was realised not only through the final product but also during the construction phase. The introduction of innovative traffic management strategies ensured minimal disruption and risk to road users during the construction phase.

The successful completion of the Heavy Vehicle Access Upgrade project stands as a testament to our commitment to enhancing road safety and connectivity in the region. The project was delivered on time and to a high standard, fostering positive relationships with the council and key stakeholders, and paving the way for future economic growth within the Yorke Peninsula Region.

The project team’s ability to integrate innovative strategies, adhere to sustainable practices, and effectively manage resources, subcontractors, and stakeholders was key to this success. Moving forward, the experiences and learnings from this project will serve as a valuable foundation for our future endeavors in infrastructure development.