PRO: Port Adelaide Tramline | $260m

[Norman]

Will there be a stop near the Port Road and James Cogdin Drive intersection? That way getting to the Wheatsheaf would be easier...

There will be a stop at the Port Road/Light Terrace intersection, so it's fairly close.

[Shuz]

Sort of, sort of not relevant to this thread; but where else can I make mention of it...

When I went to the Gallipoli Underpass Community Event a week or two ago, myself, Norman, and... the other guy that was with us (sorry whoever you are!) had the oppurtunity of speaking with Mr. Conlon about some of the 'big-ticket' transport projects to occur.

What Mr. Conlon shared with us; was that the State Government is capable of delivering the $2billion train and tram system upgrade on its own within the planned 10 year timeframe. They have made a request to the Commonwealth for 'assisted funding' (he didn't say how much) to the PT network, which if granted, would offer them 2 options:
a) To fast-track the electrification and upgrade of the train network, and tramline projects well before 2018. (I'd imagine 2014 would be more like it)
b) To expand on the existing proposal of the State Government, which would see the delivery of the current proposal as it is plus more - what "plus more" could mean, I don't know - but the scope for expansion (on top of what's already proposed!) is certainly promising, and sounds very exciting.

I also questioned him, on what the scope is for the future of the tram system, beyond the existing proposals to Semaphore, Port Adelaide etc?
Whether or not we would see them to Prospect, Norwood, etc. He made a very bold statement, that he would hope that within 20 years, we would see trams reinstated across Adelaide on a large-scale. Again asked; Bigger than the 1950's extent of the tram network?
PC: Yes, quite possibly.

Now, just a heads up to those of you in the unknown, the extent of the Adelaide tram network in the 1950's was quite sizable, we had 27 operational lines(as compared to one today).

Just doing a little bit of hypthetical, wishful thinking, and piecing the jigsaw together - If you combine option b) of his previous statement, with the latter; It can be very well and truly expected that Adelaide is in for a transport revolution.

[Will409]

When I went to the Gallipoli Underpass Community Event a week or two ago, myself, Norman, and... the other guy that was with us (sorry whoever you are!) had the oppurtunity of speaking with Mr. Conlon about some of the 'big-ticket' transport projects to occur.

That would've been me. As for what Mr Conlon was saying in regards to expansion and accelaration of the projects, what he said was fairly closely in line with what has been released in the New Connections brochures. Basically, electrification and upgrading of the Gawler Central line would be brought forward to the same timeframe as the Noarlunga Centre line which is currently scheduled for the completion in 2014. Another part of the plan would be to extend the Noarlunga Centre line to Seaford. This isn't as hard to do as you might think since the land corridor for the line has already been aquired by the Goverment and has infact been under control of the Goverment for quite a few years now. In addition, I should say that the last budget also stated that a land corridor from Seaford to Aldinga would be aquired allowing for a further extension of the line in the future.

[Cruise]

Did he say anything about extending Tonsely to FMC?

[skyliner]

I also questioned him, on what the scope is for the future of the tram system, beyond the existing proposals to Semaphore, Port Adelaide etc?
Whether or not we would see them to Prospect, Norwood, etc. He made a very bold statement, that he would hope that within 20 years, we would see trams reinstated across Adelaide on a large-scale. Again asked; Bigger than the 1950's extent of the tram network?
PC: Yes, quite possibly.

V exciting news Shuz. I had a suspicion of this but no evidence. As I understand we had a very comprehensive system as far as population was concerned and in comparison to the other capitals. Route mileage was extensive and often right to the edge of the suburbs in those days. Here the roads are wide and straight with few hills - ideal for trams. I hope it takes place.

SA - STATE ON THE MOVE

[how_good_is_he]

After the entertainment centre, will it turn right towards the bowden railway station [the second to last pic in Will's pics] to join the train line? If not, where it is likely to turn to join the railway line [any pics]?

[AtD]

I don't think that has been decided yet.

[Ben]

I heard on the radio that work will start next week on this.

[AtD]

Traffic disruptions minimal: Govt
The South Australian Government says it will try to minimise traffic disruptions during the construction of the Port Road tramline extension, due to start next week.

The new route will go from North Terrace to the Entertainment Centre.

Premier Mike Rann says traffic delays are expected when large projects are being constructed.

"People have been calling out for infrastructure investment for years and that's what we are delivering and obviously when you have got the biggest expenditure on roadworks and road improvements and public transport there is always going to be a disruption to traffic," he said.

"You can't have improvements without putting the work in."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009 ... 537867.htm

[Norman]

Well, that was pretty much out of the blue. Good to see that work is starting though. Any ideas what will be worked on first?

[Will409]

More then likely, all of the underground piping and cabling under the road will be worked on first before they start laying any track.

[joshzxzx]

My golly gosh...

I didn't expect this to start so early... But when you think about it... This is project is meant to be finished at about the same time as the refurbishment of the entertainment centre..

This is awesome news for jobs within this state..

[skyliner]

Great to see this still going ahead as planned - not as a victim of the GFC. - and on towards a metro tram system!

SA - STATE ON THE MOVE

[Will409]

Pretty much everything announced in the June 2008 State Budget in regards to public transport remains on the table with only a couple of alterations, that being electrification of the Outer Harbor and Noarlunga Centre lines being delayed by no more then a year to save some initial upfront financing (although the original amount specified remains intact).

[It's Our City]

From the City Messenger:

Bonython Park trees facing chop

By Adam Todd

MORE than 500 parklands trees and plants, mostly at Bonython Park, are earmarked for removal to make way for the $100 million tramline extension to the Entertainment Centre.

Construction of the 2.8km extension from North Tce to Port Rd is set to start later this month.

The State Government said earlier this year 29 significant trees would be lopped to allow the road to be widened.

However, Transport Minister Patrick Conlon told the City Messenger this week hundreds of other trees and plants not deemed to be significant were also set to go.

Most of the vegetation, including carob trees and other shrubs, are densely planted along the Port Rd frontage of Bonython Park.

The removal of the trees and plants will allow also for construction of a bike lane and pedestrian path.

Mr Conlon said every effort would be made during the final design and construction to reduce the number of trees removed.

“Nothing is greener than public transport and for every tree that’s removed we will be planting one hundred more,” he said.

“Getting people out of cars and on to public transport is a very positive thing for the environment.”

Adelaide Parklands Preservation Association (APPA) president Jim Daly said he was outraged by the plan.

“I think it’s extraordinary we have to sacrifice that many trees,” he said.

Mr Daly said the road to the Entertainment Centre did not need to be widened.

“By modifying the lane widths, as they had to do on King William St, they could fit it in, but because the motor car is king, they won’t accept that.”

Mr Daly said APPA had written to the Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett to see if the plan contravened the terms of the parklands’ National Heritage Listing.

Mr Conlon’s office said the project had been assessed under the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity and Conservation Act and did not compromise the National Heritage values of the city’s green belt.