SA Election 2018: Labor pledge $1.33b to remove dangerous level crossings and create 1000 jobs
PREMIER Jay Weatherill has committed $1.33 billion towards the removal of seven dangerous and congested level crossings across Adelaide if Labor is returned to Government — a project that will create more than 1000 jobs.
SA 2018
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PREMIER Jay Weatherill has committed $1.33 billion towards the removal of seven dangerous and congested level crossings across Adelaide if Labor is returned to Government — a project that will create more than 1000 jobs.
The latest announcement was made at Labor’s official state election campaign launch on Sunday, however the funding breakdown was announced on Monday morning.
Premier Jay Weatherill said a “level crossing removal authority” would be established to oversee the removal of crossings which would save motorists time in peak hour periods.
Government figures reveal boom gates block traffic at the seven level crossings, including ones in Salisbury, Goodwood and Ovingham, by up to 39 minutes between 7am and 9.30am on weekdays.
The funding announcement forms part of a $2 billion infrastructure plan to create jobs and will include the construction of new tram lines, to be announced in the coming weeks.
Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan said the authority would “enter into a detailed design and planning and consultation with the local community” to make sure each project was delivered as quickly as possible.
He said the most likely outcome for each train or tram line would be “taking rail under road”.
Mr Mullighan said each project would take 12-to-18 months to complete and would start within the next four years.
He said the seven level crossings were chosen because they were “high traffic volume roads” that “had a high number of (road) incidents on them”.
When quizzed about why promised tram lines to Semaphore and Port Adelaide had not been delivered, Mr Mullighan said the government’s 30 year plan was being delivered.
“In fact, we’re ahead of the timeline,” he said.
It is not yet known just how much — or where — the yet-to-be-announced tram extensions will be built or how a new deep sea port would be funded, however there is just $700m left to fund the rest of Labor’s infrastructure proposal.
Mr Weatherill did not rule out funding by the private sector.
“We said that we’re proposing a port which is up to $700m dollars — obviously there will be a public contribution, we’ll also be looking at private sector partners,” he said.
Given the planned works will disrupt local areas, the government also announced Labor will invest a further $5 million to support local businesses while major construction works are completed in the affected areas.
The seven level crossings to be upgraded are:
■ Torrens Rd, Ovingham
■ Park Tce, Salisbury
■ Tapleys Hill Rd and Trimmer Parade at Seaton
■ Brighton Rd, Hove
■ Cross Rd, Westbourne Park
■ Goodwood Rd, Goodwood
■ Cross Rd, Plympton Park
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