PRO: Port Adelaide Tramline | $260m

[medo]

Hi,

I don’t see any issues if Mike receives some publicity in relation to the tram extension. I think he deserves it (but not only him). It looks like some of you tend to have a selective memory when it comes to events/campaign leading toward the first and second tram extension. I still remember how our beloved “The Advertiser” was on that issue; supporting mainly parochial objections in tune with the majority of the Liberals. Like or not, but The Advertiser has the power to create/swing public opinion regardless of the city's or our state's (future) interest. I love our city but sometimes I am really confused with pettiness and declaration at the same time pure desire for a better looking and a livable city.

Medo

[rubberman]

The point remains however that Mike Rann and co would open themselves to attacks of unfairly benefiting from their positions of power if they were to personally open the line during the caretaker period. This could play into the Liberal's hands by further reinforcing public perceptions of Mike Rann as a media manipulator and someone who can't be trusted with the reigns of power.

So it will be interesting to see how he handles this one and if his media-obsessed urges get the better of him.

Yes, this is the issue during the election - whether or not the Government could make something of the opening and whether or not the Opposition could turn the tables and pin an accusation of impropriety about any such use of the opening.

If I were Media Mike, and the opening were during the Caretaker period I would invite Isobel Duncan to participate - and use the speech to confirm the existing policy of extending the tramline to the Port. Isobel would then either have to go along smiling, or say she would oppose it, or say nothing and look ungracious.

If the opening were before the Caretaker period, I reckon Mike might ask the question as one wag (on the TDU board) reminded us of the old joke with the punchline. "Isobel necessary on a tram"?

If I were Isobel, I would match the Premier with perhaps some modest extension of the tram over and above what the Premier proposes - eg the city circle, or out to the airport or some such. (Please - these are only examples of the sort of thing she could do - hopefully if she were to go this way, she would have it properly researched). Oh, and she could bring the works forward a bit. That way, she would leave Media Mike flat footed and gaping. She could do a press release to announce this on the same day as the opening as well, so that the opening and Isobel's trumping of Mike would run at the same time. Given the success of the trams so far, she would not have anything to risk and plenty to gain.

Her message to head off the critics who would point out previous Liberal opposition would be something along the lines of: "We certainly opposed it in the past, for good reasons. However, now that it is built, a Liberal Government will ensure that it operates as efficiently as possible, and that means providing a system big enough to get economies of scale and system efficiency (or similar garbage words). On that basis, a Liberal Government would adopt the most efficient and economical way forward by extending to {add proposed extensions here} and by {add date here}.

DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with any political party, and the arguments above are wild speculation only.

[waz94]

@waz94: I don't need a lecture on politics thanks.

There are actually regulations to cover these sorts of situations, however I'm not sure how well they are enforced at state level.

When a Federal election is called, all government departments go into 'election mode'. This essentially means a freeze on 'non-essential' spending. For example they are not meant to hire new staff or commence any major new projects until after the election. Spending on an opening party for a new piece of infrastructure would probably fall under 'non-essential' spending however I'm unsure if these same rules apply to state elections.

Thanks ChrisRT, you may have misunderstood what i was trying to say in regards to politics. I wasnt saying that you were wrong, i was saying that that is how politics works, regardless of the party. If a political party announce and fund a project then as sure as eggs they will be there to cut the ribbon at the opening (as they are fully entitled to do).

In this example, of course Rann and Co will be there to get positive media exposure, especially being so close to election day. Timings are crucial and would be the sole reason the workers are putting in some much overtime to ensure that this is completed before election day. Pointless opening it after March 20, when the other party could get all the kudos.

Apologies if you thought i was lecturing you, however MattBlack can back me up that im too lazy to lecture anyone.

[rhino]

If I were Media Mike, and the opening were during the Caretaker period I would invite Isobel Duncan to participate

Isobel Redmond would probably be a better choice.

[rubberman]

LOL Rhino, you are perfectly correct.

What was I thinking?

[Xaragmata]

How are the intermediate stops coming along?

The dressed stone platform border was in place on the Light Terrace stop as I came past yesterday - no steelwork on either stop that
I could see. [edit] Two yellow steel columns were installed at Light Terrace today (Friday).

[rubberman]

Last night they removed the strainer poles at City West (the ones that stood in the way of joining the old and new track), and have dug out the down track bed to expose the end of the existing rails.

[Tonsley213]

Any Photos?

[Tonsley213]

http://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/routes/ ... map_10.pdf

In that pdf is there something strange in the top left corner?

[The Scooter Guy]

Went slowly past the tramworks today and it's more than halfway there!
Lets hope the tests kick-start the new tram service!

[AG]

http://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/routes/ ... map_10.pdf

In that pdf is there something strange in the top left corner?

Not really. The tram line will be opened when the festivals are still going.

[The Scooter Guy]

Will the H-Type Trams use the new tram line?
My prediction is only the Flexicities & Citadises, so far.

[Xaragmata]

Friday - preparing to connect the new track at City West:




Erecting support columns for Light Terrace stop - Port Rd:

[fabricator]

Is it possible we could have a staggered opening of the extension ?
Open West Terrace stop soon, and the Port road stops later, after all these is that turn back and the West Terrace station is almost finished.

[rubberman]

At the moment ( 0010 hrs) they are thermit welding the last joints to connect the new track to the existing in North Terrace.

Thelast bit of track is set up for concreting and some more of the gap between the new and existing track has been concreted this evening.

Friday night I took a trip along Port Rd to the Ent Cent and they were working everywhere. They are throwing everything at it, it seems.

On Fri night, the bridge over the rail line was not concreted.
There was still a gap at Nth Terrace (being worked on right now)
The overhead work needs to be done, but that is a relatively quick operation.
The ent cent stop has a lot of work to go as does the stop at Thebarton
The West Tce stop has a fair amount of the detail type work needing to be done.
There is a lot of median strip work to be done (although that would not stop trams running).

So still plenty of work to do.

My guess is that they could start running trams in a week or so for test and training purposes with a lot of the cosmetic work and landscaping still to be done if they set their mind to it.