A major contract has been awarded to the Public Transport Project Alliance (PTP Alliance) to deliver works on the $174.3 million Oaklands Park level crossing removal project in South Australia. The contract award signals that works on the project can begin immediately.
The PTP Alliance consists of McConnell Dowell, Mott MacDonald and Arup, and was selected after a competitive tender process.
“Building a rail underpass at Morphett Road will significantly reduce delays for the 42,000 vehicles which travel through this level crossing each weekday.
“On an average weekday the boom gates at Oaklands Crossing are lowered for approximately 25% 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,” Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities Paul Fletcher said.
According to SA Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Stephen Mullighan, utilising South Australian contractors and suppliers are going to be prioritised in this project – as with all major infrastructure projects.
“This project will support approximately 160 jobs during major construction, which is expected to start mid-2018 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2019.
“Removing the level crossing will significantly reduce congestion for vehicle traffic held up by the boom gates, while also improving train services for more than 15,000 passengers who use the Seaford line each day,” Mr Mullighan said.
Federal Member for Boothby Nicolle Flint said that this project will help future-proof this section of road and rail network for decades to come. Ms Flint added that detailed design can now commence on the rail underpass as well as the 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.
“I am pleased we are fixing the forty-year-old Oaklands Crossing bottleneck to benefit our community,” Ms Flint said.
City of Marion Mayor Kris Hanna said the project will also include improvements to the local bus and train interchange.
Mr Hanna said: “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 added: “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 Oaklands Park level crossing removal project is jointly funded by the Australian and State Governments and the City of Marion, with each investing $95 million, $74.3 million and $5 million respectively.
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