A3 - Cross Road

Length: 8km

Eastern Terminus: Princes Hwy & Portrush Rd & Glen Osmond Rd & Cross Rd, Glen Osmond

Western Terminus: Anzac Highway & Cross Road, Plympton

Route names: Cross Road

Route A3 is an east-west route through the inner south of Adelaide, connecting the Princes Highway and Portrush Road (the National Highway bypass of Adelaide) with the Anzac Highway and South Road. It is largely four-lane divided with three railway crossing, making for a rather slow journey. Following the construction of the road to four lane width in 1958-1960, the only major improvement to the route was the construction of the Emerson Overpass (completed in December 1984) which allowed South Road traffic to bypass the railway crossing located in the middle of the South Road/Cross Road intersection. The route was introduced in 1998, previously Cross Road had no number.

Notable Events:

1958-60 - Cross Road widened to four lanes
Dec 1984 - Emerson Crossing grade separation
Nov 1996 - Cross Road reconstruction
1998 - Route introduced

Sign dating from 1984 southbound on South Road approaching the Emerson Overpass. Note the lack of an A3 shield on the sign. Jan 2005.
Another sign dating from 1984, this time northbound on South Road approaching the Emerson Overpass. This time the A3 shield has been stuck on the old sign. Jan 2005.
Unusual sign for Cross Road, northbound on South Road. No A3 on this sign either. Jan 2005.
A 1955 photo of the Emerson Crossing. Note the train running through the middle of the intersection. (Highways Department)
Southbound on Portrush Road approaching the start of A3 at Glen Osmond. Jan 2005.
Northwest bound Princes Highway approaching the start of A3 at Glen Osmond. Jan 2005.
Eastbound Cross Road approaching the end of A3 at Glen Osmond. Jan 2005.

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