Night works for the City Tram Extension Project will begin this weekend in Adelaide’s east, after the contract to build four new tram stops was awarded. This major extension project was awarded to Downer York Joint Venture – a consortia consisting of Downer EDI Works and South Australian company, York Civil.
Night works to locate underground services and utilities along North Terrace and King William Road will begin on shortly, along with geotechnical investigations.
The project will deliver four new stops – one on King William Road servicing the Festival Plaza precinct and three new stops along North Terrace servicing the museum and library precinct, universities and the East End.
After extensive design, planning and engineering advice, the State Government will invest an additional $10 million into the project, bringing the total project cost to $80 million, including tram purchases.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan said, “We’re building a bigger tram network which will cater for thousands more passengers travelling around our city.”
“It is also an investment in South Australian jobs – we are ensuring as many local jobs and contractors as possible are utilised during the project with 90 per cent of all labour hours to be undertaken by South Australians.
“This $80 million investment will kick start the first stage of our ambitious tram expansion project that will connect north, south, east and west, easing city congestion and reducing our carbon footprint.”
The extra investment will increase the scope of the project, providing for a major rebuild of the King William Road/North Terrace intersection and providing additional turning movements for tram services to accommodate future stages of an extended tram network.
In addition, the tram track along King William Road will be extended a further 100m north than originally proposed, which will result in improved and safe disability access and enhanced pedestrian connectivity between the Riverbank Precinct and Anzac Walk.
The additional funding will also go towards a major construction blitz which will involve more night-time and weekend work to minimise the impacts to peak hour and daytime traffic, and reduce disruptions to businesses and tram services.
Given the number of major events occurring in and around the CBD, the South Australian Government’s priority will be to minimise the disruptions along North Terrace and King William Road.
This will be achieved by adopting an intense program of works to deliver the project in the shortest possible time-frame by taking advantage of working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in school holiday periods at times when road traffic is at its quietest.
Major works on the intersection of North Terrace and King William Road have been scheduled for early January 2018, to minimise the impact to major events and traffic flow in and around the CBD, including the important Christmas trading period and Boxing Day sales.
Construction is scheduled for early January 2018, weather permitting.
