North Tce upgrade project far from hitting the gas
Adelaide council has halted a long-awaited upgrade of a pedestrian thoroughfare because it fears looming gas line works would see it rapidly undone.
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Adelaide City Council has hit the brakes on its $4.5 million North Tce upgrade, with work to complement the new tramline pushed out yet another year.
Work on the street’s footpath, which has been promised since 2018, is now scheduled to start in July 2021 because of gasworks complications.
It was originally supposed to begin last financial year.
The path has been designed to cover two sections: between King William St and Kintore Ave, and between Frome St and East Tce.
To make up for the delay, the council will spend $30,000 to make sure the existing footpath stretches are “presentable and safe”.
Adelaide Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said starting the work too early risked ratepayers footing a repair bill.
“We need the gas networks to finish their works and then we will do what we need to do,” Ms Verschoor said.
“You saw what happened in a couple of other streets around the city – we finished Waymouth St and I think three months later they went back in and dug it up.”
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The delay means $726,000 worth of custom-made pavers, currently under construction, would have to be put in storage.
The council did not say how much storage would cost.
A council report said the current cast iron gas main running below the footpath needed upgrading to improve pressure, so open trenching would be needed.
Adelaide City Council place director Garry Herdegen said “significant work” had been completed to determine the condition of underground gas services and other utilities.
APA Group, which is completing the gasworks, was contacted for comment about whether the project would disrupt pedestrians and motorists.
Work should be completed a year after construction starts, a council report said.
Adelaide City Council has been contacted for further comment.
