Traffic chaos as holiday-makers head home this October long weekend

The holiday traffic build up has already begun with cars slowed to a crawl on Port Wakefield Rd as holiday-makers return home from the long weekend.

Holiday-makers returning along Port Wakefield Rd are gridlocked in their attempt to return to Adelaide.

Traffic is banked up from the Princes Hwy and Copper Coast Hwy intersection for at least two kilometres as motorists patiently edge their way forward.

Motorists heading into Port Wakefield are experiencing slight delays, but an easier traffic flow than the Copper Coast Hwy.

Holiday-makers returning along Port Wakefield Rd just after noon on Monday, October 4. Picture: Patrick James

Traffic heading out of Adelaide is unaffected.

A safer and faster journey through the dangerous regional intersections is edging closer with the State Government reporting the Port Wakefield Overpass and Highway Duplication project had hit the 60 per cent complete mark last month.

Transport Minister Corey Wingard said the project was one of the largest ever undertaken in regional South Australia, supporting an average of 95 full-time equivalent jobs per year during construction.

“This notorious intersection is one of South Australia’s busiest regional road intersections and is commonly known as ‘Crash Corner’ due to the dangerous turn movements and frustrating long queues, especially during holiday peak periods when traffic along the Port Wakefield Highway surges,” Minister Wingard said.

“It’s fantastic to see the overpass structure starting to take form, as it is one of the many success stories of the Marshall Government’s $17.9 billion infrastructure investment across the state.”

The eight precast bridge beams were lifted into place by a 400-tonne crane to form the northern and southern spans of the overpass.

Each bridge beam weighs in at 60 tonnes.

Drivers are urged to take care, be patient and drive to weather conditions.

There are severe weather and warnings for 100k wind gusts in Adelaide.

Kangaroo Island, Murry Bridge, Mt Gambier and Keith are also on alert.

Meanwhile severe wind and sea conditions resulted in the Sealink Ferry to and from Kangaroo Island to be suspended Monday morning.

The 9, am, 10am, Noon, and 1pm services from Cape Jervis have been cancelled, while the 8.30am, 10.30am/11.30am and 1.30pm from Penneshaw have been cancelled.

According to Sealink the conditions are starting to settle down and all trips from 2.30pm will operate as scheduled.