Image: Department of Infrastructure and Transport
A busy Port Lincoln intersection used by more than 10,000 vehicles every day has received a $7.2 million makeover, with new traffic lights, pedestrian crossings and road improvements now making the area safer and easier to navigate.
The major upgrade has transformed the intersection of Porter Street, Liverpool Street and Railway Place, a key connection for both local drivers and the thousands of heavy vehicles travelling through the Eyre Peninsula.
On average, around 10,300 vehicles pass through the intersection each day, including more than 1,400 heavy vehicles, making the balance between keeping traffic moving and protecting pedestrians a major focus of the project.
The works include new traffic signals and pedestrian-actuated push-button crossings on all four approaches to the intersection, giving pedestrians greater protection and certainty when crossing the busy streets.
New line-marking, kerbing, lighting and landscaping have also been completed as part of the overhaul.
The $7.2 million project was jointly funded by the Federal and South Australian governments through the Safer Local Roads Infrastructure Program, with each contributing half of the cost.
The intersection sits on an important route for the region, with Lincoln Highway leading into Liverpool Street before connecting traffic to the port via Porter Street and Railway Place.
As well as serving as part of Port Lincoln’s local street network, the route is a vital freight and grain corridor, with the upgrade designed to help trucks and other vehicles move through the area more reliably.
Federal Minister for Regional Development and Local Government Kristy McBain said, “Projects like this one in Port Lincoln also bolster access and improve freight transport through local communities.
“Traffic signals, line-marking and better lighting will help provide greater protection for pedestrians crossing the intersection and reduce the risk of crashes.”
The design was informed by community and stakeholder consultation in 2024, with smoother, safer and more efficient travel identified as a key priority.
SA Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Joe Szakacs said, “This upgrade means safer trips through Port Lincoln for everyone. Getting the balance right between pedestrian safety and freight efficiency was front of mind for this project, and the new signals do exactly that.”
For a city that serves as both a major regional centre and an important gateway for freight heading to and from the Eyre Peninsula, the upgrade is designed to make one of Port Lincoln’s busiest intersections safer for everyone using it, whether they’re behind the wheel, driving a truck or crossing the road on foot.
