New rail spur line bring trains back to Port Adelaide

EXCLUSIVE: Rolling by train to the heart of Port Adelaide on a new 1km rail spur line is one step closer with builders releasing the first animation of the experience. SEE HOW IT WILL LOOK

ROLLING by train to the heart of Port Adelaide on a new 1km rail spur line is one step closer with builders releasing the first animation of the experience.

Since the Adelaide service was cut in 1981 and the Dry Creek-Port Adelaide railway line closed in 1988, passengers have passed well to the south of the town centre.

Now, where the existing Outer Harbor line veers west at Grand Junction Rd before it crosses Port Rd, a spur line is set to be built directly into the Port, terminating at Baker St.

To coincide with consideration and pending approval by the Parliament’s Public Works Committee on Thursday, Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan released new images of the $16.4 million project, funded in this year’s state budget.

The train pulls into the station at Port Adelaide for the new rail spur line. Picture : DPTI

The proposed station at Port Adelaide for the new rail spur line. Picture : DPTI

“The new line will link the Port’s commercial centre and the Dock One residential precinct to the Adelaide CBD,” he said.

“It will provide frequent rail services for those who already call the area home and the many more set to live, work and visit Port Adelaide, which is undergoing a major redevelopment.”

The spur line is part of a package of more than $200 million in infrastructure projects committed to in the 2017-18 State Budget, which are expected to be rubber-stamped by the Public Works Committee on Thursday.

The others are the $174.3 million Oaklands Crossing and the $31.4 million relocation of the metropolitan rail Operations Control Centre to Dry Creek from the CBD near SAHMRI.

The Port Dock Railway Line Project will feature dual mainlines and a station at Baker St with a “kiss and drop” car/train connection as well as bus/train interconnection.

An artist impression of the ‘kiss and drop’ connection at Baker St in Port Adelaide for the spur line. Picture : DPTI

Elder MP Annabel Digance welcomed the progress of the Oaklands crossing project, where an underpass will replace a level crossing.

“The Oaklands Crossing is one of the busiest intersections in the southern suburbs and everyone who travels through the area, whether it’s to access local shops and businesses or the aquatic centre, school or medical facilities, knows how much of a difference the underpass will make, she said.

Mr Mullighan said the Port rail project would begin early next year, 37 years after the last city-bound train, and support 48 jobs during construction.

“The new station will be located on the doorstep of Dock One on the waterfront, which will include more than 750 new townhouses and apartments, a refurbished Marine and Harbours building and waterfront boardwalk,” he said.

The project has been welcomed by Port Adelaide Enfield Council and the National Railway Museum, which is next to the new line.