Tuesday, 23 July 2024
Morphettville is set to become safer, faster and easier, with the Australian and South Australian governments each committing $100 million to remove the tram level crossing at Morphett Road and replace it with a tram overpass.
The project will greatly benefit the 25,600 motorists who drive through the level crossing every day, reducing lengthy queues and delays in the area, particularly during morning and afternoon peak times when the boom gates are down for up to 16 minutes each hour.
Between 2019 and 2023, there have been 106 crashes within the project area, resulting in 40 injuries.
The announcement follows a previous $400 million equal funding commitment from the Australian and South Australian governments to remove the tram level crossings at Marion Road and Cross Road, Plympton.
The Tram Grade Separation Projects (TGSP) will be undertaken by the recently-appointed Tram Grade Separation Projects Alliance of McConnell Dowell, CPB Contractors, Arup, Mott MacDonald and sub-Alliance partner Aurecon, together with the South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport.
The TGSP Alliance will remove the tram level crossings at Marion Road and Cross Road, Plympton, and at Morphett Road, Morphettville, and construct overpasses.
Approximately 50,000 vehicles pass through the Marion Road and Cross Road level crossings each day and during the morning and afternoon peaks around 30 trams also pass through, resulting in the boom gates being down for up to 20 minutes each hour.
The TGSP Alliance will also rebuild the South Road tram overpass at Glandore to accommodate the River Torrens to Darlington (T2D) lowered motorway.
The level crossing removal projects and South Road tram overpass rebuild will support approximately 1,115 full-time-equivalent jobs per year over the construction period.
The South Road Tram Overpass rebuild is funded as part of the $15.4 billion T2D Project, with the Morphett Road level crossing removal also funded under the Project as part of the $850 million T2D Broader Network Upgrades.
As part of the TGSP, the intersections at Marion Road and Cross Road, Marion Road and Anzac Highway, and Morphett Road and Anzac Highway will be also upgraded, further improving road safety across the network and easing traffic congestion.
The Alliance will complete the works on all the overpasses at the same time. This will significantly reduce the overall construction time and impact on local residents, businesses, road and public transport users.
Major construction is expected to start in late 2024 and be completed by mid-2026. The level crossings will be removed by the end of 2025.
To fast-track the works and reduce the impact on local residents, businesses, and road and public transport users, the Glenelg tram line will be temporarily closed for approximately six months in the second half of 2025, allowing the overpasses to be constructed at the same time within the existing corridor.
Trams will still operate between the Entertainment Centre and the city (to South Terrace), as well as between the Entertainment Centre and Botanic Gardens. Substitute buses will be in place between Glenelg and South Terrace.
Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
“Removing the Morphett Road level crossing will improve safety for all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians who will benefit from the raising of the Mike Turtur Bikeway crossing of Morphett Road.
“The Australian Government investment in this project will ensure commuters can benefit from safer, faster and easier trips along these crucial traffic links for years to come.
“This project demonstrates our government’s commitment to supporting more efficient, resilient and integrated traffic and transport solutions for South Australians.”
Quotes attributable to South Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Tom Koutsantonis:
“We know that removing level crossings improves safety and reduces congestion, so I am pleased we can now add the Morphett Road crossing to the list of those being removed to be replaced with a tram overpass.
“These projects will make a huge difference to road users and the local communities, improving safety and reducing congestion, particularly during peak times.
“We’ve also reached a milestone in announcing our Alliance, and I know the Department for Infrastructure and Transport is looking forward to working with McConnell Dowell, CPB Contractors, Arup, Mott MacDonald and Aurecon to deliver this important project.
“We’re working hard to achieve efficient, resilient and integrated traffic and transport solutions for South Australians, and this is the latest example of that.
“The projects will also provide an important boost to the South Australian economy, supporting approximately 1,115 full-time-equivalent jobs per year over the construction period.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Boothby Louise Miller-Frost:
“Congestion at these intersections is raised with me constantly when I’m out in the community. That’s why I’m so pleased that the state and federal governments are working together to deliver a practical fix.
“I have been advocating for this because removing the three level crossings will improve safety for nearby residents, pedestrians, cyclists and tram drivers, and introduce new, safer and more accessible tram stops.
“We said we would fix the delays at the Morphett Road crossing and that’s exactly what we are doing.”