News & Discussion: O-Bahn

[Waewick]

A stretch of Currie St right next to Leigh Street/Topham Mall was recently resurfaced after some borderline dangerously deep grooves. I feel that the wrong kind of surface is being constructed and/or the final layer is not being given adequate time to 'cure' or 'set'.

Is there an argument to use concrete roads like the Northern Connector given the amount of use on Grenfell now?

I assume he argument is who is coughing up the cash to do it?

If we were to go to the expense of reinforced concrete, might as well put a couple of steel rails in there - about 4'-8 1/2" apart.

Ha! Trams and buses, SA drivers would have a heart attack!.

To be honest not being an expert on road construction i was wondering if there are better options.

[Patrick_27]

In Sydney I noticed that to spare themselves converting bitumen to concrete roads entirely, they'd simply turned the outer lane for a lot of their major roads into concrete surfaced bus lanes, the same could be done here. However I feel as though there is intent behind the State Government and ACC intentionally neglecting Grenfell/Currie Streets, so maybe they're already onto this?

[citywatcher]

Along the track the grass verges are overgrown graffiti is not removed and electronic Notice boards are not working or boarded over at Interchanges
General lack of upkeep over the past few months

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[SBD]

Along the track the grass verges are overgrown graffiti is not removed and electronic Notice boards are not working or boarded over at Interchanges
General lack of upkeep over the past few months

Is that the responsibility of DPTI, the relevant councils, or the bus operators?

[citywatcher]

Along the track the grass verges are overgrown graffiti is not removed and electronic Notice boards are not working or boarded over at Interchanges
General lack of upkeep over the past few months

Is that the responsibility of DPTI, the relevant councils, or the bus operators?

I would guess the dpti

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[claybro]

Along the track the grass verges are overgrown graffiti is not removed and electronic Notice boards are not working or boarded over at Interchanges
General lack of upkeep over the past few months

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This is a well known issue in Adelaide suburbs in general-not just the Obahn corridor. Very poor maintenance of the main corridors. It is not a good look. The other capitals I visit seem to be making some progress in this area, disappointingly not so Adelaide. Such an inexpensive fix, could make such a difference to the appearance and general mood of the suburbs.

[duke]

In Sydney I noticed that to spare themselves converting bitumen to concrete roads entirely, they'd simply turned the outer lane for a lot of their major roads into concrete surfaced bus lanes, the same could be done here. However I feel as though there is intent behind the State Government and ACC intentionally neglecting Grenfell/Currie Streets, so maybe they're already onto this?

What is the advantage of concrete?
I noticed in Hong Kong they have a lot of concrete roads with a sliver of bitumen over the top which is, of course, breaking away.

[Patrick_27]

In Sydney I noticed that to spare themselves converting bitumen to concrete roads entirely, they'd simply turned the outer lane for a lot of their major roads into concrete surfaced bus lanes, the same could be done here. However I feel as though there is intent behind the State Government and ACC intentionally neglecting Grenfell/Currie Streets, so maybe they're already onto this?

What is the advantage of concrete?
I noticed in Hong Kong they have a lot of concrete roads with a sliver of bitumen over the top which is, of course, breaking away.

Whilst more expensive, concrete last much longer and has a greater handle on weight, it also doesn't attract as much heat from the sun. Whereas bitumen deteriorates quicker needing constant rejuvenation, it also can soften in intense heat which allows things like buses to cause large indentation with their wheels (evident along Currie and Grenfell Street(s); that said old bitumen can be recycled. And IMO, it also looks cleaner. The Northern Connector is being laid out with concrete roads, I suspect because of the anticipated freight truck use.

[rubberman]

In Sydney I noticed that to spare themselves converting bitumen to concrete roads entirely, they'd simply turned the outer lane for a lot of their major roads into concrete surfaced bus lanes, the same could be done here. However I feel as though there is intent behind the State Government and ACC intentionally neglecting Grenfell/Currie Streets, so maybe they're already onto this?

What is the advantage of concrete?
I noticed in Hong Kong they have a lot of concrete roads with a sliver of bitumen over the top which is, of course, breaking away.

Whilst more expensive, concrete last much longer and has a greater handle on weight, it also doesn't attract as much heat from the sun. Whereas bitumen deteriorates quicker needing constant rejuvenation, it also can soften in intense heat which allows things like buses to cause large indentation with their wheels (evident along Currie and Grenfell Street(s); that said old bitumen can be recycled. And IMO, it also looks cleaner. The Northern Connector is being laid out with concrete roads, I suspect because of the anticipated freight truck use.

Apart from the much greater expense, there's also the problem of what happens if there's a water main break under the concrete. We've had quite a few of those in the CBD over the past ten years. It would be a much longer and more expensive exercise to locate and repair a water main break under a concrete slab. Then there’s the problem of how to repair the slab itself if it's been cut up to get to a burst water main.

[citywatcher]

Along the track the grass verges are overgrown graffiti is not removed and electronic Notice boards are not working or boarded over at Interchanges
General lack of upkeep over the past few months

Sent from my SM-J730G using Tapatalk

This is a well known issue in Adelaide suburbs in general-not just the Obahn corridor. Very poor maintenance of the main corridors. It is not a good look. The other capitals I visit seem to be making some progress in this area, disappointingly not so Adelaide. Such an inexpensive fix, could make such a difference to the appearance and general mood of the suburbs.

I've never seen the obahn look this bad tho
V shabby

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[claybro]

Along the track the grass verges are overgrown graffiti is not removed and electronic Notice boards are not working or boarded over at Interchanges
General lack of upkeep over the past few months

Sent from my SM-J730G using Tapatalk

This is a well known issue in Adelaide suburbs in general-not just the Obahn corridor. Very poor maintenance of the main corridors. It is not a good look. The other capitals I visit seem to be making some progress in this area, disappointingly not so Adelaide. Such an inexpensive fix, could make such a difference to the appearance and general mood of the suburbs.

I've never seen the obahn look this bad tho
V shabby

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It surprises me that no one in Adelaide I know complains to their local member and local councils about the state of public areas. So many people I know living in the Charles Sturt council, complain about the state of verges and Port road median every year-its a perennial problem...but does anyone actually make their politicians accountable-no. So here we are, the laziness has led to what should be Adelaide showpiece PC corridor-the Obahn is a mess...Do something people, don't just complain on here.

[rev]

Along the track the grass verges are overgrown graffiti is not removed and electronic Notice boards are not working or boarded over at Interchanges
General lack of upkeep over the past few months

Sent from my SM-J730G using Tapatalk

This is a well known issue in Adelaide suburbs in general-not just the Obahn corridor. Very poor maintenance of the main corridors. It is not a good look. The other capitals I visit seem to be making some progress in this area, disappointingly not so Adelaide. Such an inexpensive fix, could make such a difference to the appearance and general mood of the suburbs.

It's not just the main corridors, it's the whole of suburbia pretty much. Are councils actually budgeting for it and is there even any money for routine maintenance and upkeep?
What's also a trend in Adelaide is councils employing contractors from labor hire companies more and more. That opens up another can of worms.

I'm lucky to see the council mowers come around once bi-annually to mow the verges in my neighborhood, let alone any tree watering being done.

It's council election time, while not mandatory, if people aren't happy, vote the current councilors and mayors out.

[citywatcher]

Along the track the grass verges are overgrown graffiti is not removed and electronic Notice boards are not working or boarded over at Interchanges
General lack of upkeep over the past few months

Sent from my SM-J730G using Tapatalk

This is a well known issue in Adelaide suburbs in general-not just the Obahn corridor. Very poor maintenance of the main corridors. It is not a good look. The other capitals I visit seem to be making some progress in this area, disappointingly not so Adelaide. Such an inexpensive fix, could make such a difference to the appearance and general mood of the suburbs.

It's not just the main corridors, it's the whole of suburbia pretty much. Are councils actually budgeting for it and is there even any money for routine maintenance and upkeep?
What's also a trend in Adelaide is councils employing contractors from labor hire companies more and more. That opens up another can of worms.

I'm lucky to see the council mowers come around once bi-annually to mow the verges in my neighborhood, let alone any tree watering being done.

It's council election time, while not mandatory, if people aren't happy, vote the current councilors and mayors out.

Today I noticed along the track the other side of the boundary fence was much better kept
This suggests to me that side is council and the obahn side is dpti ie the govts responsibility and we know some govts like to cut more than others

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[SouthAussie94]

Today I noticed along the track the other side of the boundary fence was much better kept
This suggests to me that side is council and the obahn side is dpti ie the govts responsibility and we know some govts like to cut more than others

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Or maybe they like to cut less?

[The Scooter Guy]

Happened to me for the first time today!