The Hove level crossing on Brighton Road in South Australia is set to be removed to slash travel times by six minutes for motorists travelling along this route as well as improve safety at the crossing.
Approximately 35,000 vehicles pass through this section of Brighton Road each day with the boom gates down for up to 12 minutes at the crossing during peak times.
Removing the level crossing will not only improve travel times for commuters, but it will also help reduce congestion on this section of Brighton Road.
“We know removing level crossings on our main roads reduces travel times for commuters but also significantly improves safety.
“This project will give back up to an extra half an hour a week to the tens of thousands of people who use this road on a daily basis,” Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Corey Wingard said.
In addition, this project will provide an opportunity to “create quality open space” that includes new cycling and walking paths as well as generate up to 375 full time equivalent jobs a year over the construction period.
Two design options are being considered for the Hove level crossing removal, namely:
The South Australian Government has not yet made a decision on the preferred design option for this project.
“Community engagement has been an important part of this project and we will continue to have conversations with the broader community before making a final decision,” Minister Wingard said.
According to Member for Black David Speirs, removing the level crossing is important for many road users in the region.
“Residents living in suburbs like Marino, Seacliff, and Seaview Downs continually tell me that they want to see better traffic flow along Brighton Road.
“They support a solution that removes this dangerous and inefficient railway crossing and I am delighted the Marshall Liberal Government is committed to this major piece of infrastructure,” Mr Speirs said.
The Hove level crossing removal will help reduce congestion on Brighton Road for the thousands of South Australian motorists moving along this route.
“Nearly 35,000 vehicles use this section of Brighton Road daily including many residents in my electorate.
“No one likes to be stopped at a boom gate and the removal of the Hove level crossing will improve travel times and increase safety,” Member for Morphett Stephen Patterson said.
A planning study is going to be conducted to determine the best option for this location, taking into consideration factors including impacts on residents and businesses, disruption to rail services and traffic as well as heritage and environmental impacts.
The level crossing is located about 12 kilometres south west of the City of Adelaide, approximately 70 metres from the Hove Train Station.
The $171 million Hove level crossing removal project is jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian Governments.
Source: Premier of South Australia – Media Releases; Government of South Australia – Department for Infrastructure and Transport