[U/C] Ovingham Level Crossing Removal | $231m

[Bob]

The Bus routes over the Park Tce crossing were only changed after the Bus Vs Train accident a few years ago. Till then most bus routes went across the crossing.
The 2 major problems for the Park Tce grade separation is the grade for the Freight trains (short distance form Salisbury highway overpass), and the proximity of the Road junctions either side of the rail corridor on Park Tce

This is just one of several reasons why the previously proposed freight rail line, direct from Dry Creek to Virginia following the nearby Northern Connector road alignment, needs to be built.

[ChillyPhilly]

The Bus routes over the Park Tce crossing were only changed after the Bus Vs Train accident a few years ago. Till then most bus routes went across the crossing.
The 2 major problems for the Park Tce grade separation is the grade for the Freight trains (short distance form Salisbury highway overpass), and the proximity of the Road junctions either side of the rail corridor on Park Tce

That was in 2003. Well overdue for an upgrade and update.

[Bob]

Recently, survey works were carried out at the Torrens Road Ovingham, level crossing - not sure if they were related to the proposed overpass or to the electrification preliminary works.

Assuming the overpass does go ahead, that will leave only one level crossing, at Hawker Street, between Adelaide Railway Station & Pym Street, Dudley Park.

Quite odd that for many years Hawker Street was an overpass itself for the road & tram - the level crossing was introduced much later in the piece after the tram line was removed - I wonder if there are plans to revert this crossing back to an overpass as well?

Here is a picture from 1950's showing the original Hawker Street overpass, taken just north of North Adelaide Railway Station & looking north - to the right is Park Terrace, to the left is a goods siding where the current standard gauge interstate now runs in its place. Note there was no Park Terrace overpass in those days, hence the clear view to the Hawker Street overpass.

[Bob]

I've added a snapshot from the relevant page of the 1949 Adelaide Street Directory FYI (note Twelfth St is now Hawker St)- regarding my last post.

[ChillyPhilly]

I don't think a road overpass is practical or feasible there nowadays. A short rail bridge would be better.

[Mr Messy]

There's a road reserve which was set aside decades ago for a bridge

[rev]

I don't think a road overpass is practical or feasible there nowadays. A short rail bridge would be better.

It's more then doable.
It's the 21st century, and we are still being held up by trains..freight trains at that as well. It should have been done long ago. But this is Adelaide.
Melbourne is eliminating their train/road crossings, so give it another 30-50 years before we make a similar move here in Adelaide.

[SBD]

I don't think a road overpass is practical or feasible there nowadays. A short rail bridge would be better.

It's more then doable.
It's the 21st century, and we are still being held up by trains..freight trains at that as well. It should have been done long ago. But this is Adelaide.
Melbourne is eliminating their train/road crossings, so give it another 30-50 years before we make a similar move here in Adelaide.

Was the former bridge a road bridge or purely a tram bridge (and possibly pedestrians)? The pictures on the MTT History don't make it clear.

What would be the consequence of closing the road to remove the level crossing, once there are grade separated crossings all round, and perhaps providing a bike/pedestrian bridge only?

[Llessur2002]

What would be the consequence of closing the road to remove the level crossing, once there are grade separated crossings all round, and perhaps providing a bike/pedestrian bridge only?

Would be worth investigating once the Torrens Road grade separation is complete. Let's not forget that Hawker Street is a 40km/h road through a residential area - not a main arterial.

[claybro]

[quote=SBD post_id=185666 time=<a href="tel:1571781449">1571781449</a> user_id=6279]
What would be the consequence of closing the road to remove the level crossing, once there are grade separated crossings all round, and perhaps providing a bike/pedestrian bridge only?

Would be worth investigating once the Torrens Road grade separation is complete. Let's not forget that Hawker Street is a 40km/h road through a residential area - not a main arterial.
[/quote]

It's the only bus route through the middle of that suburb. Remove Hawker street ability to take buses into the city, and a major PT connection is lost, with the nearest then Torrens Road or Bowden Station, both quite a walk.

[Llessur2002]

It's the only bus route through the middle of that suburb. Remove Hawker street ability to take buses into the city, and a major PT connection is lost, with the nearest then Torrens Road or Bowden Station, both quite a walk.

Fair point

[Waz]

Let's not forget that Hawker Street is a 40km/h road through a residential area - not a main arterial.

It's always been a secondary road though, not just a backstreet.

[rev]

What would be the consequence of closing the road to remove the level crossing, once there are grade separated crossings all round, and perhaps providing a bike/pedestrian bridge only?

Would be worth investigating once the Torrens Road grade separation is complete. Let's not forget that Hawker Street is a 40km/h road through a residential area - not a main arterial.

Peak hour traffic can bank up from the Park tce intersection all the way back to Chief street though.
I'd rank Hawker street with Chief & Rosetta streets, both have separation.
The removal of all level crossings should have been part of the electrification upgrade of the network.

[SBD]

What would be the consequence of closing the road to remove the level crossing, once there are grade separated crossings all round, and perhaps providing a bike/pedestrian bridge only?

Would be worth investigating once the Torrens Road grade separation is complete. Let's not forget that Hawker Street is a 40km/h road through a residential area - not a main arterial.

Peak hour traffic can bank up from the Park tce intersection all the way back to Chief street though.
I'd rank Hawker street with Chief & Rosetta streets, both have separation.
The removal of all level crossings should have been part of the electrification upgrade of the network.

They have been talking about electrifying the Gawler line since 2000, 1954 or 1914 (depending what you believe). How much longer would it take with the removal of 20 or so level crossings as well!?

[ChillyPhilly]

Would be worth investigating once the Torrens Road grade separation is complete. Let's not forget that Hawker Street is a 40km/h road through a residential area - not a main arterial.

Peak hour traffic can bank up from the Park tce intersection all the way back to Chief street though.
I'd rank Hawker street with Chief & Rosetta streets, both have separation.
The removal of all level crossings should have been part of the electrification upgrade of the network.

They have been talking about electrifying the Gawler line since 2000, 1954 or 1914 (depending what you believe). How much longer would it take with the removal of 20 or so level crossings as well!?

With an increase in investment, it could be done as one big project, along with decades-overdue station upgrades. But that's too much sense.