This paper describes the process and outcomes of the planning and environmental assessment for the Northern Expressway (NEXY) Project. NEXY comprises a new 23 km freeway and the upgrading of Port Wakefield Road. NEXY passes through the urban fringe of northern Adelaide, and will become part of the AusLink National Network from Sydney to Adelaide. The planning and assessment involved current and recent planning, research and processes: 1. Design standards and guidelines based on best practices from Australia and overseas; 2. Innovative route selection framework used to assess and select the preferred route; 3. Three traffic models at the strategic, corridor and intersection level used to ensure robust and accurate traffic forecasts for design purposes and economic evaluation; 4. Economic spreadsheet model was developed to undertake the economic analysis, using current Australian Transport Council and Austroads national guidelines for AusLink transport infrastructure projects; 5. Risk assessment modelling; 6. Environmental assessment was comprehensive, rigorous and robust and included an intense and thorough community engagement program. The outcomes were supported by the Environmental Protection Authority. The comprehensive planning, environmental and consultation processes ensured that NEXY could be delivered by the Government of SA with confidence and in a tight timeframe. (a)
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