Sports facilities, nature walk and indigenous art feature in finalised Ovingham project

The Ovingham level crossing removal is set to revitalise the area with play areas and art – but a well-used traffic corridor will be out of use for months.

Final designs for the $196m Ovingham level crossing removal have been unveiled with the project featuring a half basketball court, futsal court, natureiplay area and indigenous art.

The project will result in Torrens Rd elevated over the railway line that services the interstate rail line, the Gawler passenger rail line and freight railway lines.

Supplied Editorial Concepts of the $4.5m Ovingham upgrade. Pic: Supplied

The federal and state governments have committed $196m for the removal of the level crossing.

About $9.3m of assets are being created within the City of Charles Sturt through the project including the sporting facilities.

Department of Infrastructure executive director of transport project delivery Jon Whelan and Ovingham LXRP Alliance general manager Dougal Guthrie presented the final designs to the Charles Sturt council meeting on Monday night.

One of the major changes to the original plan include a new link road to address traffic issues on Chief St.

Due to concerns from the community the original design would increase the volume of traffic using Fifth St, the Department of Infrastructure and Transport have compulsorily acquired an allotment located at the intersection of Torrens Rd and Chief St, previously Top Cut Butchers, to allow the creation of a new link road.

The link road will provide access to and from the new service road from and to Chief St, without requiring vehicles to use the surrounding local road network.

Mr Guthrie said the updated design would address congestion issues with Chief St, through additional turning lanes.

Supplied Editorial Concepts of the $4.5m Ovingham upgrade. Pic: Supplied

The Alliance have engaged extensively with Kaurna Elders to create a design narrative for the facilities including a public plaza, with pavement, artwork and lighting designs all developed.

Mr Guthrie said public amenity would be improved through providing bike parking across the precinct, bike repairs stations and a nature walk.

“On the bridge, one of the main things (included in the design) is screens for anti-throwing but also for anti-gawking for residents nearby,” he said.

“We idenitifed an overlooking risk and adapted the screens to suit.”

Construction works with traffic restrictions are set to begin in late June.

During works, the left hand turn on to Churchill Rd from Torrens Rd, and vice versa, will be closed to traffic.

The bridge is set to be opened to traffic mid-2022 with final project completion set for early 2023.

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Corey Wingard said community feedback had played a key role in the project.

“It’s important on major projects like the Ovingham Level Crossing Removal Project that we listen to the feedback of the community and take them on the journey,” he said.

“This project is a fantastic example of balancing infrastructure priorities with legacy landscaping and facilities that will be used by the community for decades to come whilst also reflecting on the traditional ownership of the land.

“The Ovingham Level Crossing Removal Project, which is supporting 245 jobs, will deliver vital road safety benefits and travel time savings for the thousands of motorists who drive through the area every day.”