Sensational-Adelaide.com

rev wrote:

fishinajar wrote:

Norman wrote:...And a tram down Keswick drain would be a waste of money...

Ho Really wrote:...The light rail down the Keswick drain would not be a waste of money. It would be a direct route from the city to the airport with a station on the line north-south in the area of Mile End. You can add two more stops at Marion and South Roads if you wish. There's also an option this could be taken underground into the city at the West Parklands. If kept to the bare minimum without the underground section, it would not cost any more than laying tracks down a narrow and highly trafficked road as Henley Beach. It would also be built much quicker...

Is there a concept/thread you guys are referring too?

How would such a line enter the city other than under, through or over West Tce cemetery?

My personal preference would still be for a line via Henley Beach Road for a multitude of reasons. A much nicer entrance for interstate/national visitors for one.

From the terminal/hotel you'd follow the northern boundary of the airport leading onto the drain, following the drain all the way to James Congdon Drive, where you would head north east towards Sir Donald Bradman Drive, then you would go right, up over the bridge and straight into Grote Street and connect to the existing tram line running through Victoria Square.
The more sensible option is to go down Henley Beach Road all the way to Henley Beach, and a short run off at Airport Drive to the airport. That way it services a popular beach, and several eateries/pubs along the route, which could also help spur an increase in further businesses of that type.
What's along the drain route? Nothing.
A stop at Marion Road, are you going to have a park and ride facility? Where are you going to build it? What's there to justify a stop there? The council depot?
Similarly with a stop on south road along the drain route..what's there to justify a stop there? Nothing.
It literally would be a line with mostly nothing either end of the airport and city. It's a good idea though for a direct 'express' route, as at least half of it would be without having to stop at intersections.

rubberman wrote:I suggest that the question is whether the line is meant to serve the airport primarily. If so, then the drain, suitably prettied up provides the quickest connection to the city.

Therefore: does the traffic from the airport economically justify a dedicated line (like Sydney's airport link), yes or no? If yes, build it down the drain on its own merit, independent of and additional to other tram lines. If not, then build the line down Henley Beach Road as per the plan.

Then ask the question: does the traffic from the airport justify a spur line from Henley Beach Road, yes or no? If yes, build the spur on its economic merit. If no, then decide whether other considerations trump economics. You'd have to note that access to the airport in Adelaide is pretty good, so if the case for an airport spur was not good, why not put that money towards extending the tram system somewhere else? Eg a spur of the same length to Bowden, or somewhere similar.

Aidan wrote:...Firstly, service frequency is more important than speed over such a short distance

Aidan wrote:...in the short term, a line via Sir Donald Bradman Drive is the best option. Shorter than HBR, and easier to connect with the existinng line...

ynotsfables wrote:If it does go down Sir Donald Bradman Drive, [it may be] a good catalyst for streetscape development as well to enhance an attractive entry to the city. Henley Beach Road would also be good, however that road [seems to be evolving nicely on its own]. As for efficiency and frequency and further development SDBD would be a good option in my opinion.

Aidan wrote:The drain (or as it's properly called, Keswick Creek) wouldn't provide the quickest connection to the City. Just reaching it would be far from easy, and then there's the problem of the roads that cross it.

But supposing it were, that wouldn't make it the best route. Firstly, service frequency is more important than speed over such a short distance. Secondly a street based route would be a big boost for suburban development. Thirdly it will be a long time before two rail links to the airport are justified, so it makes sense to go with the one that brings the greatest benefit first even if a faster option could be justified without it.

Eventually our airport could be served by multiple tramways as well as freeways and underground rail. But in the short term, a line via Sir Donald Bradman Drive is the best option. Shorter than HBR, and easier to connect with the existinng line.

BTW the Sydney Airport line has two intermediate stations, at Green Square and Mascot. There's quite a strong argument that they should've built a third between them at Doody Street.

rubberman wrote:

Aidan wrote:The drain (or as it's properly called, Keswick Creek) wouldn't provide the quickest connection to the City. Just reaching it would be far from easy, and then there's the problem of the roads that cross it.

But supposing it were, that wouldn't make it the best route. Firstly, service frequency is more important than speed over such a short distance. Secondly a street based route would be a big boost for suburban development. Thirdly it will be a long time before two rail links to the airport are justified, so it makes sense to go with the one that brings the greatest benefit first even if a faster option could be justified without it.

Eventually our airport could be served by multiple tramways as well as freeways and underground rail. But in the short term, a line via Sir Donald Bradman Drive is the best option. Shorter than HBR, and easier to connect with the existinng line.

BTW the Sydney Airport line has two intermediate stations, at Green Square and Mascot. There's quite a strong argument that they should've built a third between them at Doody Street.

Yes, but the point of doing an economic and operational study is to prove or disprove all or any of that. If a rigorous study confirms that, so be it.

However, at the moment, it's a bunch of people saying "the drain!", or "No! No! Henley BeachRoad,", or "No! No! SDBD!". That will end up with the route being selected via those that shout the loudest.

Let's see some hard analysis. If the drain route is the best, or HBR, or SDBD, whichever, so be it.

Norman wrote:SDBD would be a good corridor and may provide a slightly faster route, but HBR beats it narrowly on an economic basis of infill and main street activity. [This was supported in the WestLink MCA].

fishinajar wrote:

What Norman said.
Also...I wasn't shouting