Freight and passenger services in South Australia are a step closer to being apart
December 13, 2012
Freight and passenger services in South Australia are a step closer to being apart, with a contract awarded to construct the Goodwood underpass.
The federal and South Australian governments announced yesterday the Thiess York joint venture had been awarded the contract to construct the underpass.
Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says the new underpass will speed freight train movement through Adelaide City, improve reliability of passenger services, ease traffic congestion around the CBD, and boost national productivity.
“Recommended by Infrastructure Australia, this project will separate freight from passenger services by diverting the line used by one beneath that used by the other, thus eliminating the need for trains on either track to stop while those on the other pass through,” Albanese says.
South Australian Transport Minister Patrick Conlon says
freight trains currently decelerate through the adjacent signalised road level crossings.
“Grade separation will mean freight train transit times are reduced, delivery services will be more reliable and delays will be reduced at the Leader Street and Victoria Street level crossings for road users waiting for trains to clear,” he says.
“Importantly, both networks will be safer.”
Start of work on the project has been brought forward to early next year to coincide with the track upgrade of the Noarlunga line and the Adelaide Rail Yard.
Initial works at Goodwood are expected to be completed by July 2013.
All other works will be completed in September.