subject: SA Tender for Gawler Line Railway Stations [print this page] SA Tender for Gawler Line Railway StationsSA Tender for Gawler Line Railway Stations
An SA Tender has been released for design and construction of Railway stations along the Gawler line by the South Australian Government.
Transport Minister Patrick Conlon said the new station upgrades signalled ongoing State and Federal investment in the future of the transport network in South Australia.
"The investment in stations on the Gawler Line will complement the track upgrade and introduction of electrified rail services by 2013," Minister Conlon said.
The Gawler Line track upgrade includes a $293.5 million investment from the Australian Government's Nation Building Program which has accelerated the project.
"This project help transform Adelaide's rail network into a sustainable, state-of-the-art transport system providing faster, cleaner and more efficient services," he said.
Federal Member for Wakefield Nick Champion said the planned upgrades were a step forward in integrated planning.
"Gawler Line stations will receive multi-million dollar make-overs during next year's Stage 2 of the Gawler line upgrade, which is expected to start in mid 2011," Mr Champion said.
"The next stations to be upgraded include Elizabeth, Elizabeth South and Gawler stations.
"Our commitment to stations is demonstrated by upgrades already carried out at Blackwood, Coromandel, Eden Hills, Port Adelaide Viaduct, Hallett Cove and the great work being done right now on the Hallett Cove Beach Station," he said.
The Gawler upgrades came about partly through the efforts of local Member for Light Tony Piccolo, who has long fought for improvements to transport infrastructure in his region.
"These upgrades will not only address issues on the Gawler line today but also provide a wonderful base from which to further develop the infrastructure in the future," Mr Piccolo said.
The State and Federal Governments have allocated over $110 million for station upgrades across the Adelaide rail network.
Over the past four months over 25 kilometres of track has been upgraded between North Adelaide and Mawson Lakes involving:
upgrading the track formation (base layer)
installation of over 37,000 new gauge-convertible concrete sleepers
removal of over 40,000 tonnes of old ballast and soil
installation of over 50,000 tonnes of new ballast
improvements to stormwater drainage
repair and refurbishment of rail
upgrade of Torrens River Bridge including repairs to steelwork and re-painting
upgrades to Hawker Street, Pym Street and Cormack Road level crossings
minor upgrades to closed stations.
The successful completion of this will be another step in the $2.6 billion decade-long investment to transform Adelaide's public transport network into a vibrant, state-of-the-art system and the first step toward electrification of the Gawler line.
Together with new electric trains, the electrified rail system will provide a more modern and efficient train service for commuters well into the future.
The SA Tender for design and construction of Railway stations along the Gawler line closes on the 11th November 2010.
