« Back to the News Index

Rail upgrades begin at The Port.

16 September 2009

The next stage of the $2 billion investment in metropolitan public transport infrastructure is set to get underway with almost $35 million worth of works at Port Adelaide.

A $20 million refit of the historic Port Adelaide viaduct and the first stage of a $12 million upgrade of Port Adelaide railway station is scheduled to begin within the next two months following completion of design work and required approval processes.

The project will also include an upgrade of the Jervois Street bridge and upgrades to level crossings at Cheltenham Parade, Fussell Place, Wirra Drive, Fletcher Street, Strathfield Terrace and Golf Course Road.

The Government announced today that Baulderstone Pty Ltd and Transfield Services Joint Venture had won the bid as the successful consortium for the project.

Transport Minister Patrick Conlon says it is the first step in the future electrification of the Outer Harbor railway line and follows the successful upgrade of the Belair line.

"Rail services resumed on the Belair line last month after 15 kilometres of new track was laid and several level crossings were upgraded in just four months," he said.

"We now begin a decade-long process of revitalising public transport infrastructure in and around the Port and the Le Fevre peninsula."

"This program of works will deliver a fast, electrified rail service linking Outer Harbor and the CBD and a tram service that will go through the central Port Adelaide commercial district and also to Semaphore."

Stage one of the work to upgrade the Port Adelaide railway station will include:
- New platform treatments;
- Upgraded lighting;
- Improved CCTV (security) coverage;
- Upgraded fencing; and
- New shelters.

There will be further work at the station as the line is electrified.

In addition, the work on refitting the viaduct will include replacing approximately 600 metres of railway track including new sleepers, new rail and base layer, repairing structural steelwork, and a new corrosion protection system.

To ensure the upgrade is undertaken safely and efficiently, the Outer Harbor line will be closed to passenger services between Outer Harbor and Woodville for approximately four months.

Trains will continue to operate between Adelaide and Woodville and on the Grange line although a temporary timetable will apply.

To minimise the impact of the closure on commuters, a substitute bus service will be made available for the duration of the project.

The local community has been provided with information over the past two weeks regarding the upgrade and the impacts it may have on them.

"Obviously interruption to regular travel patterns will occur when work of this magnitude is undertaken but we are doing everything possible to make sure all the relevant information is easily accessible," Mr Conlon says.

Project and construction information is available by visiting www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au, by emailing dtei.pav@sa.gov.au or by calling the project team on 1800 644 735.