Gawler line electrification expected to be completed in 2020
THE long awaited electrification of the Gawler rail line is expected to be complete in two years, after the state and federal governments signed off on stage two of the project.
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THE long-awaited electrification of the Gawler rail line is expected to be complete in two years, after the state and federal governments signed off on stage two of the project.
Stage two — which will electrify the line from Salisbury to Gawler — is funded courtesy of a $220 million Federal Government grant, detailed in this year’s federal Budget.
The remaining $395 million — $175 million more than originally estimated — will be paid by the State Government.
Transport Minister Stephan Knoll said the additional cost would be spent on purchasing 15 new electric rail cars.
The Gawler electrification has been an on-again, off-again project since it was announced in the 2008 State Budget by the former Labor government.
It was then axed and reannounced several times, later becoming the subject of a funding squabble between former transport minister Stephen Mullighan and the Federal Government.
Mr Knoll said an improved relationship with the Federal Government had led to the funding finally flowing.
Stage two of the electrification will involve a new signalling system being installed, as well as the electrification of the Dry Creek railcar depot and a new electricity feeder station at Kilburn.
Work is expected to begin early next year, and be completed by late 2020.
Lendlease project director Danny Parkinson said stage two of the project would create 135 jobs a year.
Mr Parkinson said some passenger disruption was inevitable, but would be scheduled to occur during low demand periods. He said a chunk of works could also be completed while trains remained operational.