Olympic Dam Highway


The first Reassurance Direction sign on Olympic Dam Highway, heading north from the Stuart Highway junction at Pimba. Source: Peter Renshaw, September 2014.

Introduced: 1988/89

Length: 92km

Northern Terminus: Borefield Road, Olympic Dam Village

Southern Terminus: Stuart Highway, Pimba

Route taken: From the Stuart Highway near Pimba, north via Woomera and Roxby Downs to the Borefield Road intersection at Olympic Dam Village

Duplexes: Nil

Focal Points: Pimba, Woomera, Roxby Downs, Olympic Dam

Notable Events:

8 May 2014 - Olympic Dam Highway officially named

Description:

Olympic Dam Highway is the road link between the Stuart Highway and the massive Olympic Dam uranium and copper mine and associated townsites, located 550km NNW of Adelaide. The highway also serves the Woomera townsite and the adjacent RAAF Woomera Complex.

The official northern terminus is at the intersection with Borefield Road at Olympic Dam Village, however there are no B97 signs at this intersection. The northernmost B97 sign is a southbound Reassurance Direction sign located at the southern edge of Olympic Dam Village, 1.5km south of Borefield Road.

History:

The southern section of the highway from Pimba to Woomera was developed in the immediate post-War years to serve the Anglo-Australian Joint Project (long range weapons testing). Northwards from Woomera, a series of tracks linked the various pastoral stations and the opal mining village of Andamooka. Public access north of Woomera was limited as it fell within the 'Woomera Prohibited Area'.

As the Anglo-Australian Joint Project wound down in the 1970s mineral exploration activities within the Prohibited Area increased. A 1982 Act of Parliament paved the way for the development of the Olympic Dam Mine, the associated village, and a few years later, the new town of Roxby Downs. To serve the mine, a new sealed road was constructed from north of Woomera to Olympic Dam. This road was variously known as 'Olympic Way' and 'Olympic Dam Road' prior to being officially named 'Olympic Dam Highway' in May 2014.

Signage:

All of the signage along the route was installed prior to the naming of Olympic Dam Highway and therefore does not acknowledge this name. Where a road name is shown it is generally 'Olympic Dam Road'.

Some maps show Borefield Road, from Olympic Dam Village to the Oodnadatta Track, as route D97. This is not shown on any signs along this route.

 

Photos: Route B97/ Olympic Dam Highway
Northbound signage on Stuart Highway (A87) approaching the junction with Olympic Dam Highway (B97) at Pimba. The top two photos show the signage as it appeared in 2005, the bottom photo is the AD sign as it appeared in 2017.
Top photo: January 2005.
Middle photo: January 2005.
Bottom photo: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.



Southbound signage on Stuart Highway (A87) approaching the junction with Olympic Dam Highway (B97) at Pimba. The top three photos show the signage as it appeared in 2005 (note the remnant National Highway 87 route shield); the bottom photo shows the AD sign as it appeared in 2014.
Top 3 photos: January 2005.
Bottom photo: Peter Renshaw, September 2014.


The ID signs at the intersection of Stuart Highway (A87) & Olympic Dam Highway (B97) at Pimba, as they appeared in 2005. Note the classic South Australian style of ID signs in the second photo.
All photos: January 2005.

The ID signs at the intersection of Stuart Highway (A87) & Olympic Dam Highway (B97) at Pimba, as they appeared in 2017. Note the now defunct National Highway route marker.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
AD sign southbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97), approaching the intersection with Stuart Highway (A87) at Pimba. The track leading off to the left is the old alignment of the Stuart Highway.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
Service sign northbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) at Pimba.
Photo taken: January 2005.

Reassurance Direction signs northbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) at Pimba.
Top photo: January 2005.
Bottom photo : Peter Renshaw,September 2014.
Olympic Dam Highway (B97) looking south across the Trans-Australian Railway level crossing at Pimba.
Source: Peter Renshaw, September 2014.
Service sign northbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) approaching Woomera. Note the tape covering the fuel symbol following closure of the service station at Woomera.
Photo taken: January 2005.
Looking north along Olympic Dam Highway (B97) towards the southern edge of Woomera townsite.
Photo taken: January 2005.
Tourist Attraction signage northbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) approaching Banool Avenue, Woomera. I am not sure what attractions have been covered by the large white coverplate.
Photo taken: January 2005.
Reassurance Direction sign southbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) at Woomera.
Source: Peter Renshaw, September 2014.
Lovely remnant black AD sign assembly in the classic South Australian style, northbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) approaching Banool Avenue, Woomera.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.

Intersection Direction signs at the intersection of Olympic Dam Highway (B97) & Banool Avenue, Woomera.
Source: Peter Renshaw, September 2014.
Advance Direction sign southbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) approaching Banool Avenue, Woomera.
Source: Peter Renshaw, September 2014.
Tourist Attraction signage southbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) approaching Banool Avenue, Woomera. I am not sure what attractions have been covered by the large white coverplate.
Photo taken: January 2005.
Advance Direction sign northbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) approaching the right turn on the northern edge of Woomera. The road straight ahead leads to the RAAF Woomera Range Complex checkpoint.
Source: Peter Renshaw, September 2014.

Classic South Australian ID signage at the Olympic Dam Highway (B97) intersection with the RAAF Woomera Range access road, Woomera, as it appeared in 2005.
Photos taken: January 2005.


Modern South Australian ID sign assemblies at the Olympic Dam Highway (B97) intersection with the RAAF Woomera Range access road, Woomera, as they appeared in 2017. Note that the Airport is no longer signed.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.

Old and new AD sign assemblies southbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) approaching the RAAR Woomera Range Complex turnoff. Note the Airport sign has been removed but the B97 sign remains the same.
Top photo: January 2005.
Bottom photo: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
Reassurance Direction sign northbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) after Woomera. Note the coverplated distances.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
Service sign southbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97), 5km north of Woomera. Note the fuel symbol is covered.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
View southward on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) with the first glimpse of Woomera town on the hills to the far right, approximately 10km north.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
View southward on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) approximately 30km north of Woomera.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
View northward on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) approximately 30km north of Woomera.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
Service sign northbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97), 5km south of Roxby Downs.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
Reassurance Direction sign southbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) at the southern intersection with Olympic Way on the southern edge of Roxby Downs. Note the coverplated distances.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
AD sign northbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) approaching the southern intersection with Olympic Way, Roxby Downs.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.

ID sign assembly at the southern intersection of Olympic Dam Highway (B97) & Olympic Way, Roxby Downs. Note the blank coverplate - it appears that this covers an erroneous 'Roxby Downs'.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
AD sign eastbound on Olympic Way approaching the southern intersection with Olympic Dam Highway (B97), Roxby Downs.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
AD sign southbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) after the Axehead Road / Andamooka Road staggered T-junction, Roxby Downs. Note the coverplated distances.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
AD sign northbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) approaching the Axehead Road / Andamooka Road staggered T-junction, Roxby Downs.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
Newer ID sign assembly at the intersection of Olympic Dam Highway (B97) & Axehead Road, Roxby Downs.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
AD sign which pre-dates alpha-numeric route numbering, eastbound on Axehead Road approaching Olympic Dam Highway (B97), Roxby Downs.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
AD sign westbound on Andamooka Road, approaching the junction with Olympic Dam Highway (B97) at Roxby Downs. Traffic destined for Roxby Downs town turns left here then immediately right onto Axehead Road.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.

ID sign assembly at the intersection of Olympic Dam Highway (B97) & Andamooka Road, Roxby Downs.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
AD sign southbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) approaching the Axehead Road / Andamooka Road staggered T-junction, Roxby Downs.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
RD sign northbound on Olympic dma Highway (B97) after the Axehead Road / Andamooka Road staggered T-junction, Roxby Downs.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
At the northern end of the Roxby Downs bypass, Olympic Dam Highway (B97) reaches a T-intersection and turns right towards the Olympic Dam Mine.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
ID sign assembly functioning as an AD sign, northbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) approaching the northern intersection with Olympic Way, Roxby Downs. Note the error - B97 does not go to the left through Roxby Downs. This sign would be better placed at the Borefield Road intersection, 4km further north.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
ID sign assembly at the northern intersection of Olympic Dam Highway (B97) & Olympic Way, Roxby Downs. Note the absence of route numbers on these signs that pre-date alpha-numeric route numbering in SA.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
AD sign northbound on Olympic Way approaching the northern intersection with Olympic Dam Highway (B97), Roxby Downs. Note the missing B97 route number for the through destination - the official northern terminus of B97 is at the Borefield Road intersection, 4km further north.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
Newer AD sign southbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) approaching the intersection with Olympic Way, Roxby Downs.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
Service sign southbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97), 5km north of Roxby Downs. The intersection in the above photos can be seen in the background.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
Southbound Reassurance Direction sign on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) at the southern edge of Olympic Dam Village, 9km north of Roxby Downs.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
Service sign northbound on Olympic Dam Highway (B97) entering Olympic Dam Village, warning road users of the remote area and lack of services beyond Olympic Dam.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
Olympic Dam Highway (B97) looking north to the northern terminus of the highway and route B97 at the Borefield Road junction, Olympic Dam. The gatehouse for the Olympic Dam Mine can be seen in the distance.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.



ID signs at the intersection of Olympic Dam Highway (B97) & Borefield Road, Olympic Dam. Note the absence of B97 route numbers on the sign pointing towards Roxby Downs, and the old street name blades still showing 'Olympic Way' as the road name.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.

Photos: Borefield Road

Road conditions and remote area warning signs at the start of Borefield Road, Olympic Dam. There are no services along Borefield Road - the nearest being located either at Marree or William Creek depending on which way you turn once you reach the Oodnadatta Track.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
Borefield Road looking south towards the Olympic Dam Highway (B97) junction at Olympic Dam.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
Southbound gate and grid, with sign advising that road users are leaving the Olympic Dam Mine lease, 2km north of Olympic Dam Highway (B97).
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
Outback style warning sign northbound on Borefield Road, 2km north of Olympic Dam.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.

Strange kilometre plates located approximately 20km north of Roxby Downs, with 'DP' facing southbound traffic and 'PS1' facing northbound traffic. I'm as baffled as you are.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
Borefield Road looking south, 30km north of Roxby Downs.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
Borefield Road looking north, 30km north of Roxby Downs.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
View south through a series of low hills approximately 35km north of Roxby Downs.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.

Typical SA-style back-to-back kilometre plates, 40km north of Roxby Downs. 'WC' stands for William Creek, which is reached by continuing north along the Oodnadatta Track.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
Lovely black ID sign facing northbound traffic approximately 115km north of Roxby Downs. The road curves to the north east here, with a track continuing directly north to the Great Artesian Basin water supply site which gives Borefield Road its name.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
View south along Borefield Road approximately 2km south of the Oodnadatta Track junction, 120km north of Roxby Downs.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
Reassurance Direction sign southbound on Borefield Road after the intersection with Oodnadatta Track, 123km north of Roxby Downs.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
AD sign northbound on Borefield Road approaching the junction with Oodnadatta Track, 123km north of Roxby downs.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.

ID sign assembly at the intersection of Oodnadatta Track & Borefield Road.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
AD sign south eastbound on Oodnadatta Track approaching the Borefield Road intersection, 123km north of Roxby Downs.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
AD sign north westbound on Oodnadatta Track approaching the Borefield Road intersection, 123km north of Roxby Downs.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.


Old alignment: Roxby Downs

Prior to construction of the Heavy Vehicle Bypass around Roxby Downs town, the main road to Olympic Dam Road passed through Roxby Downs along 'Olympic Way'.

 

Old alignment: Roxby Downs
Typical older South Australian fingerboard sign at the intersection of Olympic Way / Burgoyne Street (south), Roxby Downs.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.
Service signage northbound on Olympic Way approaching the intersection of Olympic Way / Burgoyne Street (south), Roxby Downs.
Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2017.

Last updated 22 July 2018.
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