News & Discussion: Trams

[Norman]

I wouldn't be surprised if they swing the track further out from the centre to allow for a wider platform, or change it to a side platform. The current platform is way too narrow to be compliant.

[claybro]

I wouldn't be surprised if they swing the track further out from the centre to allow for a wider platform, or change it to a side platform. The current platform is way too narrow to be compliant.

Re side platforms, would that mean either removing car parking or reducing to 1 lane? Currently (from memory) it is still possible to drive along the track on this stretch. So side platforms will put a stop to this. also the platform itself would then take up some of the next lane-assuming they don't bring the tracks closer together after removal of the centre island stop. With car parking, this leaves only 1 lane for vehicles? How does it work on North terrace, as I haven't been over since it was complete.

[Patrick_27]

The original plan (if I recall) was a single central platform (similar to Pirie Street, Rundle Mall and Adelaide Railway Station) and the removal of right-hand turns with a dedicated tram lane instead of a shared lane.

[rubberman]

I wouldn't be surprised if they swing the track further out from the centre to allow for a wider platform, or change it to a side platform. The current platform is way too narrow to be compliant.

Re side platforms, would that mean either removing car parking or reducing to 1 lane? Currently (from memory) it is still possible to drive along the track on this stretch. So side platforms will put a stop to this. also the platform itself would then take up some of the next lane-assuming they don't bring the tracks closer together after removal of the centre island stop. With car parking, this leaves only 1 lane for vehicles? How does it work on North terrace, as I haven't been over since it was complete.

Side platforms enable buses to use the stops, so that if there's a need for a substitute bus service, passengers can still use the stop since buses just pull up in the same way as trams. If they use a centre island stop, then whenever there's a substitute bus, they have to create a temporary stop to which passengers have to move. And an extra stopping bus motorists have to deal with. Not a big issue, but why do it if the bog standard tram stop can do it? In this case, they could steal a metre off the footpath at each existing tram stop. That would make the stop a metre wider. These things don't have to be cathedrals - an extra metre would be oodles.

[adelaide transport]

More problems for the new extensions. Yesterday a test tram with DPTI personnel on board struck a problem with the signalling at the North Terrace/King William Street intersection.
Transport Minister Stefan Knoll told channel 9 news tonight that he still could not give a starting date.

[rev]

More problems for the new extensions. Yesterday a test tram with DPTI personnel on board struck a problem with the signalling at the North Terrace/King William Street intersection.
Transport Minister Stefan Knoll told channel 9 news tonight that he still could not give a starting date.

This is getting beyond ridiculous now. Surely the circus that was hired to build it can be held accountable contractually?

[claybro]

More problems for the new extensions. Yesterday a test tram with DPTI personnel on board struck a problem with the signalling at the North Terrace/King William Street intersection.
Transport Minister Stefan Knoll told channel 9 news tonight that he still could not give a starting date.

This is getting beyond ridiculous now. Surely the circus that was hired to build it can be held accountable contractually?

York Civil? Too late, they saw the writing on the wall and got out of town.

[Mpol03]

Didn’t they go into receivership?

[claybro]

Didn’t they go into receivership?

Yes. But curiously they were involved in both the current tram fiasco ,and the Swan River footbridge fiasco, both of which remain incomplete months after due opening, and with multi million dollar rectifications required. Margins are so tight on these projects now, that any time or cost over run is deadly. Not all due to their workmanship mind you, but more to do with poor management of the projects they were constructing. I bet though, the mud will stick with the contractors, rather than the government departments overseeing these projects and who's constant meddling are associated with the issues in the first place.

[Ho Really]

Didn’t they go into receivership?

Yes. But curiously they were involved in both the current tram fiasco ,and the Swan River footbridge fiasco, both of which remain incomplete months after due opening, and with multi million dollar rectifications required. Margins are so tight on these projects now, that any time or cost over run is deadly. Not all due to their workmanship mind you, but more to do with poor management of the projects they were constructing. I bet though, the mud will stick with the contractors, rather than the government departments overseeing these projects and who's constant meddling are associated with the issues in the first place.

Should come out of the wages and salaries of Koutsantonis, Mullighan, their mates and those of the department managing this project.

Cheers

[rubberman]

Didn’t they go into receivership?

Yes. But curiously they were involved in both the current tram fiasco ,and the Swan River footbridge fiasco, both of which remain incomplete months after due opening, and with multi million dollar rectifications required. Margins are so tight on these projects now, that any time or cost over run is deadly. Not all due to their workmanship mind you, but more to do with poor management of the projects they were constructing. I bet though, the mud will stick with the contractors, rather than the government departments overseeing these projects and who's constant meddling are associated with the issues in the first place.

Should come out of the wages and salaries of Koutsantonis, Mullighan, their mates and those of the department managing this project.

Cheers

Well, The politicians did lose government. The head of DPTI was axed. I imagine there were also further axings within DPTI at lower levels.

There's a couple of questionss though. Most of the problems of this stage came after February/March. So was it K+M and mates or Marshall and Lucas?

Next, I've been whining about problems such as Citadis, centre islands, expensive construction techniques here for some time. Nobody here seems terribly interested. Fair enough. However, if nobody on a site like this is interested, then the general public is going to be even less interested. I guarantee that if eyes glaze over in boredom here whenever I point out the need to make trams efficient and economical, I guarantee that people reading the Advertiser or just generally will go catatonic if you discuss trams. They'll ride them if they go in the right direction, but the general public doesn't give a toss.

The upshot is that DPTI hasn't got the expertise to expand the system, as is evident, the public isn't all that interested, there's been some blood letting of politicians and in DPTI, and we are still floundering around with unnecessary expenses, delays and useless right turns.

[claybro]

Next, I've been whining about problems such as Citadis, centre islands, expensive construction techniques here for some time. Nobody here seems terribly interested. Fair enough. However, if nobody on a site like this is interested, then the general public is going to be even less interested. I guarantee that if eyes glaze over in boredom here whenever I point out the need to make trams efficient and economical, I guarantee that people reading the Advertiser or just generally will go catatonic if you discuss trams. They'll ride them if they go in the right direction, but the general public doesn't give a toss.

Not quite so rubberman. Many, including myself have shared and engaged in your concern over the cost and inadequate implementation of these minor extensions. The first extension from Vic Sq to North terrace was relatively trouble free, was open with minimal fuss, and shut the naysayers down immediately. This last one has become almost comical and allowed all the usual suspects to dredge up the usual rubbish. Most seem to be of the opinion that the Citadis are a poor cheap option and tear up the tracks. Fair enough. Just that your answer to reduce costs and expediate progress is to engage a team of international experts and buy rolling stock from Czec. Whereas my opinion has been that we can start sourcing rolling stock and expertise from Melbourne, if we have an ongoing volume of work. Just because my opinion differs to yours doesn't mean the concern for the problem is any less.

[timtam20292]

Dear Stakeholder

We write to advise you of developments with the City Tram Extension Project.

Test trams identified a minor signal issue. To ensure all issues are addressed ahead of passenger services, testing will continue.

Works scheduled over the weekend include:

Minor concreting works along North Terrace, 8pm – 6am Friday and Sunday.
Paving works on King William Street adjacent Bank of China, 8pm – 6am Sunday.

Some speed and lane restrictions will apply in the vicinity of the works. Lanes adjacent tram stops will be closed while works are undertaken, with one lane maintained in each direction. Access to businesses and properties will be maintained.

Thank you for your continued patience and ongoing interest in the City Tram Extension Project.

A further update will be provided next week.

[citywatcher]

It's the same update every week

Sent from my SM-J730G using Tapatalk

[EBG]

Looking for answers, there seemed to be some problem at the north east corner of King William Rd with at least 6 men all gathered around some manhole in the middle of the south track just before the traffic lights at North Tce. Picture 12.30 pm 7/9/18.