News & Discussion: Adelaide Metro Trains

[Spotto]

The Federal Budget 2021-22 is splashing a few billion dollars on infrastructure in SA. In terms of rail, we're getting an extra $60 million for the Gawler electrification and $3.1 million for the Goodwood and Torrens Rail Junctions.

Goodwood Junction was completed in 2014, Torrens Junction was completed in 2018. I'm struggling to understand what this $3.1 million is for?

[PD2/20]

The Federal Budget 2021-22 is splashing a few billion dollars on infrastructure in SA. In terms of rail, we're getting an extra $60 million for the Gawler electrification and $3.1 million for the Goodwood and Torrens Rail Junctions.

Goodwood Junction was completed in 2014, Torrens Junction was completed in 2018. I'm struggling to understand what this $3.1 million is for?

The Goodwood and Torrens Jns project also included the cycleway overpass at Goodwood. If I recall correctly last year's federal budget also included an additional provision. There were geotechnical investigations recently at Goodwood.

Update:
I have now checked the 20/21 budget papers and see that $13.2m was included there for the Goodwood and Torrens Rail Junctions project.

[Llessur2002]

Some more progress on the new up-and-over doors at Adelaide Railway Station this morning:

[AndyWelsh]

Some more progress on the new up-and-over doors at Adelaide Railway Station this morning:

That’s exciting! Thanks for the photos.


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[Spotto]

I was hoping they'd be incorporating the decorative square glass from the windows in the concourse. Looking forward to seeing the finished product!

[AndyWelsh]

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[AndyWelsh]

From today:










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[gnrc_louis]

Hills to Adelaide train link not viable, says Corey Wingard
Adelaide Hills commuters would not be able to make a train link to the CBD viable, the government has decided.
May 17, 2021 - 7:37PM


The State Government has ruled out passenger rail from the Adelaide Hills to the city.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Corey Wingard has confirmed he will not entertain a community-wide push to construct a rail line between Mount Barker and the CBD, on grounds it would be too expensive.

The announcement comes only a month after Hills powerbrokers and commuters launched an attack on the State Government over congestion on the South Eastern Freeway, with many calling for a train to end traffic chaos.

Mr Wingard said he did not believe a rail line to be financially viable.

“A rail link between the city and the Adelaide Hills is not financially viable and the excessive costs wouldn’t be the best use of the limited taxpayer dollars compared with other infrastructure priorities,” he said.

“Instead the Marshall Liberal Government is investing in road projects to get more freight off the SE Freeway.”

While not offering an alternative solution to the Hills public transport crisis, Mr Wingard said a newly announced $5m Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass Planning Study would assist in exploring other options.

“The State Government is continuing to explore public transport to and around the Adelaide Hills,” he said.

Adelaide Hills commuters and visitors currently have limited public transport options, with towns sparsely serviced by SouthLink.

Keoride, an on-demand bus service, also only services Mount Barker, Nairne and Littlehampton, while ride-share services such Uber and DiDi claim government legislations make it too hard to support the regional market.

SA Transport Action Group Chair John Hill said the government’s response was disappointing.

He said his group was working on a report to highlight the feasibility of a rail line, which they planned to present to the department at a later date.

“We think that Mr Wingard needs to listen to some broader opinions (on the issue) to the ones he’s been listening to,” Mr Hill said.

“If he thinks the freeway is going to handle the future with all the development that is happening in the Hills, to not have a rail bypass, then good luck to him.”

Kavel MP Dan Cregan did not respond to calls from the Advertiser following Monday’s announcement.

However, he was among a number of powerbrokers to back a rail line last month, stating the service would relieve freeway congestion, which he blamed on “years of underinvestment”.

“I’m an advocate for extending a third lane from Crafers to Mt Barker and for ultimately restoring passenger rail services to Mt Barker, acknowledging the massive cost and real engineering challenges that would involve, even in the existing corridor,” he said.

“I wear my tag as a train nut with genuine pride,” Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie said

[SBD]

What is needed is more employment in the Mount Barker area, so that people who live there don't feel compelled to travel down to Adelaide every day! If the commuters are mostly students, then it obviously needs a university campus too!

[whatstheirnamesmom]

I would like to know more information about his definition of "not financially viable".

Adelaide Metro does not necessarily need to be run at a profit. The flow-on benefits to businesses, industry, increased productivity -- that's where the ROI is. Not to mention the positive social outcomes and the 1000s of jobs a project like this would create.

This government lacks visionaries and has no long-term public transport plan whatsoever, beyond road investment.

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[Patrick_27]

What a crock of shit. Perhaps it's not financially viable, but when was the last study conducted by either a Labor or Liberal government into the project's viability? Certainly never in my lifetime. At the end of the day, this government are willing to spend millions on feasibility studies for projects that the general public don't actually want and they themselves know they won't actually go ahead with. Meanwhile will shut down even considering something that has been lobbied for years. Once again, the Liberals are pushing shot term fixes to road infrastructure over longer term solutions such as public transport. If Labor were to swoop in and pledge a feasibility study or even fund the project, they would certainly win over the electorates in contention.

[[Shuz]]

A train line to Mount Barker is more viable than a $700m indoor entertainment centre noone wants.

[Spotto]

Apologies for going off topic but I wanted to put this in a forum that would get answered.

I want to start using the Tapatalk app, how does login work with this forum? Is it same login details or do I need to create a separate Tapatalk account?

[PeFe]

Apologies for going off topic but I wanted to put this in a forum that would get answered.

I want to start using the Tapatalk app, how does login work with this forum? Is it same login details or do I need to create a separate Tapatalk account?

Maybe be better posting this request in the "Website Related" forum......

And now back to the same old arguments relating to a train service to Mt Barker........

[Bob]

The real problem is neither the Liberal Party or the Labor Party have articulated a holistic plan for Adelaide Metro rail network and services, and therefore piecemeal thought bubbles, discussions and proposals keep popping up rather than working to an agreed masterplan, regardless of who is in Government.

These elements need to be put into a plan to decide the outcome with a masterplan and timeframes, and those elements that are rejected would need to be identified as such, that they will not be part of the future. Where is Infrastructure SA in all of this – this should be part of their remit, surely?

Would require a decision where the ARTC Ade-Mel rail link goes in the long term so planning for the Adelaide Metro rail network can make some of these decisions around that.

Here is my list that require a decision:

Rail gauge for the network – broad or standard
Level crossing removals
Grange branch line future
Port Adelaide CBD direct rail link
PA to OH heavy or light rail line including Osborne link
PA and/or OH electrification
Belair electrification
City direct underground link including new stations at Hindmarsh Sq and Victoria Sq
Identify key stations that double as multi transit hubs for upgrades
Identify stations for closure
Aldinga extension
Roseworthy extension
Concordia extension
Is rail viable to Mt Barker, if so, how