The South Australian Government is calling for expressions of interest for stage one of the transformation of the Gawler train line – the next phase of the tender process for the electrification project.
The electrification of the Gawler Line will deliver faster, safer, more reliable and more comfortable rail services to encourage more people to take public transport.
The Gawler rail electrification works will include:
- Installation of the overhead wiring system including masts and gantries
- Installation of a new signalling system
- Installation of an Automatic Train Protection system
- Installation of a new fibre optic communications system cable
- Service relocations, vegetation trimming and removal, and other works necessary to enable the electrification to proceed
This is the next step in the project which will see early works start on the electrification between Adelaide and Salisbury by the end of the 2017. The project will recommence after it stalled following the withdrawal of federal funding in 2013.
The works will support 135 jobs a year during construction, while increasing capacity on one of Adelaide’s busiest rail lines.
The $152.5 million first stage is being fully funded by the South Australian Government.
The State Government is also seeking a commitment from the Federal Government to split the cost of completing the electrification to Gawler.
The project has been identified as a high priority by Infrastructure Australia.
The State Government allocated its share of the $462.5 million for stage two in the recent State Budget.
The State Government invited businesses to register their interest in the project in May 2017.
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Stephen Mullighan, said the Gawler line is South Australia’s most popular train service, with patronage increasing by more than 30 per cent in the seven years to 2016.
“On average almost 17,000 passengers use Gawler services each weekday, and completing the electrification of the entire line will significantly increase capacity, allowing an extra 2400 passengers an hour to use the train in peak periods,” Mr Mullighan said.
“Stage two of the project from Salisbury to Gawler is ready to proceed and just needs a funding commitment from the Federal Government to give it the green light.
“Even with the tender process opening today, a funding commit by the Federal Coalition would allow us to expand the tender to deliver the entire project from Adelaide to Gawler.”
During the expressions of interest phase businesses will provide further information to support their bid.
A shortlist will be created with the successful companies invited to tender for the project.
Early works on the stage one electrification will begin by the end of 2017 with major construction works to start early in 2018.
Expressions of interest close 1 August 2017.
