As part of the 2011 State Budget, the government has allocated funds to develop a long term infrastructure solution at the Oaklands Park train level crossing.

What?

The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) is currently undertaking planning work for a train overpass to ease traffic congestion in the vicinity of the Noarlunga rail line at Oaklands Park. The Planning Study will examine sustainable transport solutions for the area around Oaklands Railway Station including:

• planning work for a rail overpass Diagonal Road and;
• modifications to the Diagonal Road/Morphett Road junctions immediately north and south of the railway crossing.

Why?

Traffic modelling shows the recently completed State Aquatic Centre, along with a planned expansion of the Marion Shopping Centre and other anticipated future growth as outlined in the 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, will lead to increased traffic volumes through the area.

The government's $2.6 billion investment in new rail cars and electrification of the network will also lead to rail services passing through the crossing more frequently.

These factors have required the previous project to be revised and we have begun planning work for a train overpass, a long term solution that will serve generations to come.

How?

Options will be assessed on a value for money basis against a range of criteria including cost, technical rail and road design standards, environmental and visual amenity considerations, and public amenity including access and connectivity for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, and links to public transport.  A detailed concept design will be developed for the preferred option.

An important part of this Planning study was to seek input from the local community via questionaires. The study commenced in 2011 and is due for completion later this year.

What’s next?

All questionnaires received have been collated and are being used as input to the Planning Study process.

Later this year as part of the development of grade separation options, it is intended that a public display will be organised, providing further opportunity for comment and input from local stakeholders including residents, businesses, commuters, and other interested parties.

DPTI welcome any additional comments, feedback or local information which could be relevant to this project and which can be provided to us via:

• Post (no stamp required) to Oaklands Park Rail Overpass Project Planning, Reply Paid 1533, Adelaide, SA, 5001
• Telephone 1800 726 500 and speak to the Project team (available 9am to 5pm weekdays with voicemail available outside of these times)
• Email the Project team at DPTI.OaklandsParkRailOverpass@sa.gov.au