The first trains have been successfully tested on a new rail underpass in Bowden, Adelaide, paving the way for Outer Harbor and Grange services to resume.
The new Bowden Railway Station opened on 15 January, coinciding with the resumption of passenger services, which were temporarily suspended to complete the major works on the $238 million Torrens Rail Junction Project.
Three level crossings have been removed through the project, including one at Park Terrace which held up traffic on the Inner Ring Route for more than two hours on weekdays.
Level crossings at Gibson and East streets in Bowden have also been removed, further improving the safety of the road and rail network.
With the removal of three level crossings, Outer Harbor and Grange trains will no longer need to slow down at these locations and the requirement for trains to give way to one another will also be removed, improving travel times for all services.
The new underpass also removes a crossing point between the freight rail line and the Outer Harbor and Gawler passenger lines.
Removing the junction removes the need for freight trains to give way to passenger trains, which will significantly reduce delays caused by freight trains slowing or being stationary at other level crossings in Ovingham and at Torrens Road.
Upgrading the freight line tracks and signalling will also allow for increased train speeds, improved reliability and reduced delays.
The Torrens Rail Junction Project will also allow for longer freight trains to run between Adelaide and Melbourne, increasing capacity by up to 20 per cent.
SA Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Stephen Mullighan, said the project will provide widespread benefits to the state’s road and rail freight networks.
“Removing the need for trains to give way to one another means faster trips for Adelaide Metro passengers, faster freight movements and fewer delays for motorists at level crossings in Ovingham and Torrens Road,” Mr Mulligan said.
Some works will continue including:
- Finishing touches to the new Bowden Station
- Final works on the Outer Harbor Greenway/shared user path including Station Place and the Parklands bridge
- Road and paving works on Park Terrace and Gibson Street
- Landscaping and commissioning of pedestrian crossings
The SA Government also took advantage of the closure to carry out other works including:
- Grange Station upgrade
- Woodville Station upgrade, including a new access ramp
- Woodville Level crossing asphalt replacement
- Torrens River Rail Bridge structural and painting works
- Signalling upgrade works for the Outer Harbor line
- Glanville points machine replacement
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