The Regency to Pym project is nearing an exciting milestone with the overpass spans almost ready to be slowly, but surely, moved into place.
Construction on the $354 million R2P project has been tracking along nicely despite all the challenges COVID-19 has thrown up during the year.
The project, funded by the Australian and South Australian Governments, is creating 210 jobs per year during construction.
Earlier in the year, girders for the Regency Road overpass central spans were delivered to the Polonia Reserve, enabling 'off-site' assembly of the northbound and southbound spans.
Throughout early January 2021, the assembled spans will be moved from the reserve to the intersection, using Self Propelled Modular Transporters. The spans will be lowered onto newly constructed concrete piers as part of the Regency Road overpass installation.
Two dedicated areas to view construction will be available near OnThe Run and Regency TAFE.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Corey Wingard, said it was an exciting milestone in a great project.
"This project is a great example of how innovative thinking can lead to better outcomes for the community," Minister Wingard said.
"To be able to construct the majority of the overpass structure off site has meant far less disruption to motorists and a safer environment for those working on the project.
"We've now reached the exciting stage of moving the pieces into place."
The transportation of the overpass will involve a partial closure of the South Road and Regency Road intersection from 5am Monday, 4 January to 5am Monday, 11 January. Once the spans are installed, works will continue for several months at the intersection to complete the overpass.
Works prior to the scheduled overpass opening in mid-2021 include the final layer of asphalt, installation of concrete barriers to separate northbound and southbound traffic followed by line marking.
The R2P project involves the construction of a new 1.8km section of non-stop motorway along South Road, connecting to the South Road Superway to the north and Torrens Road to River Torrens project to the south.
The R2P project will deliver travel time savings of up to eight minutes during peak periods and 4.5 minutes on average for around 53,000 motorists daily on this section of South Road.
"This project forms part of our record $16.7 billion investment in infrastructure across the state which is creating more than 19,000 jobs and building what matters for South Australia."
