Seaford line pedestrian to be upgraded and others to close under Railway Crossing Safety Strategy
FIVE crossings are to be closed along a rail line in Adelaide’s south — but others have been earmarked for upgrades. It’s part of a plan to prevent accidents and near-misses along the route.
TELL US BELOW: Is this the right approach? Do you agree these crossings need to go?
PEDESTRIANS will get safer passage across key railway crossings as part of a project to prevent accidents and near-misses on the Seaford line.
But five other crossings will be closed to reduce journey times and improve traffic flow.
The State Government will install electronic pedestrian gates at Seventh Ave, Hove; the eastern end of Hove station; Dunluce Ave, Brighton; Beach Rd, Brighton; and at the southern end of Christie Downs station.
Crossings at King St, Brighton; Pine Ave, Seacliff; Hallett Cove station; Carlton St, Oaklands Park; and at the northern end of Christie Downs station, will close.
Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan said upgrading some crossings while removing others would “significantly improve safety along the Seaford rail line, while also improving the reliability of trains and reducing the journey time”.
The project will cost $2.5 million and is part of the government’s newly-released Railway Crossing Safety Strategy.
Work on the changes will start in the coming months.
Four people were killed and six people were seriously injured at railway crossings across the state between 2011 and 2016.
Rail operators reported 741 near-misses during the same period.
Cyclist Sean Houlihan was against closing the King St crossing in Brighton because it was a useful way of avoiding the busy intersection at Brighton Rd and The Crescent.
However, another woman, who did not want to be named, welcomed the crossing being closed because her elderly mother had several near-misses when using it.
There are already electronic gates at the western end of Hove station, which is used by a large number of students from nearby Marymount College.
Station user Mila Erkelens said having electronic gates at the eastern end of the station would make it safer.
In February, a woman was clipped by a train at the Warradale station, which will not get electronic gates.
Warradale station user Sumi Davis said electronic gates were not needed.
“If you ask me, I feel it’s quite safe here,” Ms Davis said.
“I don’t think it’s very dangerous.”
Electronic gates close and buzz when a train is approaching.
Police fined about 30 people across the state $107 each for jumping the gates this financial year, while a further 30 were cautioned.
Oaklands Crossing tops to-do list
The Railway Crossing Safety Strategy also identifies a $3 billion plan to remove 20 level crossings in SA.
The list is topped by Oaklands Crossing, where Diagonal Rd, Morphett Rd and the Seaford line meet near the Westfield Marion shopping centre.
“These projects also reduce traffic delays, significantly reducing commute times and improving productivity and efficiency for those who use the road for their work, such as freight operators and couriers,” Mr Mullighan said.
However, the $190 million Oaklands Crossing upgrade is not fully funded and there is no timeline for the work.
The Federal Government has promised $40 million for Oaklands Crossing, while the State Government has pledged $30 million.
Other crossings among the top priorities include Brighton Rd, Hove; Emerson Crossing, Black Forest; and Marion and Cross roads, Plympton Park.
Jetty Rd intersection upgrade
Work started this week to improve pedestrian and road safety at the Jetty Rd, Brighton level crossing.
The $325,000 Holdfast Bay Council project was funded under the Federal Government’s Black Spot Program to improve traffic flow, reduce wait times for vehicles queuing around the rail crossing and provide a safer pedestrian crossing at the busy intersection.
Right-turn lanes will be added for vehicles turning from Jetty Rd into both The Crescent and Commercial Rd.
A pedestrian refuge and upgraded lighting will be installed east of the rail crossing.
The crossing will be open to vehicles, pedestrians and trains throughout the works, which were due to start on Monday and run until June 23.
Mayor Stephen Patterson said 127 trains crossed Jetty Rd and more than 7000 vehicles used it every day.
“The current road layout leads to cars queuing in and around the rail crossing and makes it difficult for pedestrians to cross on the eastern side of the train tracks,” Mr Patterson said.
“A number of crashes have already occurred at this intersection, so improving safety has been identified as a high priority by all levels of government.”
Five roads come together at the intersection — Jetty Rd, The Crescent, Torr Ave, Commercial Rd and Cedar Ave — as well as the rail line.
Liberal Boothby MP Nicolle Flint announced the funding ahead of last July’s federal election.