Noarlunga and Tonsley Lines closed until September 2013 for electrification and track upgrades

As part of the South Australian Government’s unprecedented investment in Adelaide’s public transport network, works are currently underway to complete the track upgrade of Adelaide’s rail network.  The Noarlunga and Tonsley lines are currently closed for:

• the installation of electrification infrastructure, including masts, portals and wires to accommodate Adelaide's first electric trains
  
• upgrading 30 kilometres of track with gauge convertible concrete sleepers
  
• upgrade of the signalling and communications system
  
• installation of a train protection system
  
• new ballast
  
• new and refurbished rail
  
• upgrade of eight level crossings; and
  
• improving drainage along the line.
  

29 March 2013:  level crossing upgrade at the intersection of South Road and Cross Road

April update

Phase 1 Removal of existing rail and wooden and timber sleepers - Removal of existing rail and wooden and timber sleepers has been completed from the rail yard to Oaklands railway station using rail construction vehicles to remove the rails, followed by excavators removing the sleepers into semi tipper trucks. Much of the rail will be refurbished for re-use along the line and the timber sleepers will be mulched for landscaping on other Government projects. One thousand timber sleepers in suitable condition have been donated to historic railways.

Phase 2 Earthworks - Earthworks will be completed as of the end of April. This is where the existing ballast (the rocks between the sleepers) is removed. 

Phase 3 Drainage improvements - Drainage improvements within the existing rail corridor have been completed between the Adelaide rail yard and Edwardstown and are continuing along the line. This should be completed by the end of April.

Phase 4 Prepare new base track formation - Preparation of the track formation commenced at the same time as the earthworks and will also be completed by the end of April.

Phase 5 Track construction - Track construction has commenced between Adelaide and Keswick as of the end of February and will continue down the line from Clarence Park to Oaklands with this section to be completed by mid May. The last phase of track construction will occur between Anzac Highway and Leader Street and will be completed by 2 June.

The construction of a track sectioning cabin at Ascot Park, enables the isolation of sections of overhead wires, allowing workers to safely work on one secton of the elecgtrical system while allowing other parts of the system to remain operational.

A power supply facility at Lonsdale and associated power system will provide the necessary infrastructure for electric train operation.

Safety enhancements are also underway, with the construction of a railway underpass that takes the Noarlunga line below the Belair and interstate freight lines as part of the Goodwood Junction Upgrade.

The Seaford Rail Extension includes two new railway stations at Seaford Meadows (with park 'n' ride facilities) and a bus interchange at the Seaford District Centre.  The 5.7km extension of the dual track rail line features a stunning 1.2 kilometre elevated rail bridge over the Onkaparinga Valley estuary.

Works completed so far on the Tonsley Line include:

• installation of three kilometres of pits and conduits for the new signals and communications networks between Ascot Park and Tonsley stations
  
• installation of over half the masts required for electrification
  
• relocation of services (mostly existing overhead ETSA cables)
  
• drainage improvements and culvert replacements
  
• rail remediation and re-sleepering
  
• track re-surfacing
  
• vegetation management, including pruning, spraying and routine maintenance; and
  
• level crossing and pedestrian crossing upgrades have occurred at Cross Road and South Road, Daws Road, Alawoona Avenue and Celtic Avenue.

Please click here to read further information on the Tonsley line update including what’s next, and re-opening of the line.

As with previous closures, tailored substitute bus services will match, as closely as possible, the train timetables they replace. Services are being designed to give priority to express buses and ensure all stations along the rail line are serviced (with a mixture of express/limited stop and all stopping services).

New temporary timetables are available online at Adelaide Metro

1 February 2013:  Track stripping at Edwardstown train station

Project overview, fact sheets and maps

Level crossing upgrade fact sheet

Track upgrade construction fact sheet

Latest news and early works underway

CLICK HERE FOR LOCALISED WORKS NOTIFICATIONS

Electrification works are the final step in upgrading the Noarlunga line to provide a new electric train service.

Once complete the Noarlunga and Tonsley lines will provide:

• improved journey times
• smoother rides
• facilitate the first electric rail services
• facilitate operation of brand new electric trains
• reduce the impact of large freight trains on local communities and local road network.  

Good News Story

Tracksure's donation to National Railway Museum

The current contractor working on the Noarlunga track upgrade ‘Tracksure’ - a Joint Venture between John Holland, Coleman Rail and York Civil has recently made a donation to the National Railway Museum. 100 net tonne of railway ballast was delivered to the National Railway Museum for the use in proposed track upgrade works - forecast to be undertaken in the next few months. NRM is very appreciative of this announcement, which represents several thousands of dollars in value - money hard to find for a non-Government funded, volunteer operated museum.

DPTI assist Steamranger after bushfire damages track

Around one thousand timber sleepers and steel plates were donated by The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) to Steamranger Heritage Railway to assist them after a bush fire recently gutted approximately 800m of track between Mount Barker and Victor Harbor.