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Upgrade for SA bus hub

South Australia is jumping on the level crossing removals bandwagon, which will go hand in hand with improvements to Adelaide’s Oaklands station and bus interchange

Detailed design works to remove the Oaklands Park level crossing will begin immediately, after the major contract for the $174.3 million project was awarded to the Public Transport Projects Alliance (PTP Alliance) consisting of McConnell Dowell, Mott MacDonald and Arup.

Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities Paul Fletcher said PTP Alliance was selected after a competitive tender process and work will soon progress on upgrading the Oaklands Crossing.

“Building a rail underpass at Morphett Road will significantly reduce delays for the 42,000 vehicles which travel through this level crossing each weekday,” Fletcher says.

“On an average weekday the boom gates at Oaklands Crossing are lowered for approximately 25 per cent during peak traffic times, so removing this level crossing will slash delays for people using this part of the southern suburbs road network by more than 90 minutes a day.”

South Australian Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Stephen Mullighan says as with all major infrastructure projects, South Australian jobs and South Australian contractors and suppliers would be prioritised where possible.

“This project will support approximately 160 jobs during major construction, which is expected to start in mid-2018 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2019,” Mullighan says.

“Removing the level crossing will significantly reduce congestion for vehicle traffic held up by the boom gates, while also improving train services for the more than 15,000 passengers who use the Seaford line each day.”

Federal Member for Boothby Nicolle Flint said, with traffic volumes expected to grow by more than half again by 2031, the project would future-proof this part of the road and rail network for decades to come.

“Detailed design can now begin on the rail underpass and new station. Fixing the gridlocked intersection will help residents get to work, school, local businesses and the SA Aquatic Centre more quickly, while greatly improving safety,” Flint says.

“I am pleased we are fixing the forty-year-old Oaklands Crossing bottleneck to benefit our community.”

City of Marion Mayor Kris Hanna said project would involve improvements to the bus and train interchange.

“Pedestrian and cycling connections throughout the Marion precinct and local neighbourhood will also be improved, including a shared use path under Morphett Road adjacent to the underpass,” he says.

“The council is also working with the State Government on the opportunities for recreational spaces, parking, residential and commercial developments around the new Oaklands Station.”

The Australian Government is providing $95 million to the $174.3 million Oaklands Crossing project, with $74.3 million from the State Government and $5 million from the City of Marion.

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