O-Bahn extension would mean buses take passengers from city to Golden Grove in Adelaide’s northeast

THE O-Bahn busway would be extended from Tea Tree Plaza to Golden Grove in a proposal to better connect Adelaide’s outer northeast with the CBD.

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THE O-Bahn busway would be extended from Tea Tree Plaza to Golden Grove in a proposal to better connect Adelaide’s outer northeast with the CBD.

The project, beginning with an eight-month feasibility study costing $500,000 to be announced today, would be the most significant upgrade to the renowned O-Bahn system since it was built in 1986.

“The study will assess potential routes, engineering requirements and likely demand for the proposed extension, as well as undertake detailed economic and financial modelling,’’ Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan said.

Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan. (Note: Please don’t actually stand here) Picture: Jade Gailberger

The project will mirror the dedicated O-Bahn-only track between Tea Tree Plaza and Gilberton, as well as improvements to the road network to give buses uninterrupted journeys from Golden Grove Village to the Tea Tree Plaza interchange. The Advertiser understands the likely route will be on Golden Grove Road, which was purpose-built to be wider than needed to accommodate future traffic flow.

The extension is half as long as the existing O-Bahn line, which will allow an almost uninterrupted commute from Modbury to the city when the tunnel through the parklands is opened next month.

The existing O-Bahn line will offer an almost uninterrupted journey to Modbury when the tunnel opens. Picture: Stephen Laffer

Adelaide’s O-Bahn system was the brainchild of global car giant Daimler-Benz, beginning in the German city of Essen.

The idea was adopted by the State Government in 1986 when a tram extension was planned, then rejected, to service the city’s rapidly expanding northeastern suburbs.

RAA senior road safetymanager Charles Mountain said motorists would also benefit from the extension, especially commuters on North East Rd.

“We support this proposal, given the considerable work that has already been done to improve travel times for the O-Bahn, and this would further capitalise on the existing investment in the corridor,’’ he said.

“Incorporating additional park and ride facilities could potentially reduce traffic on North East Rd and other arterial roads as more people switch to public transport.

“Once the study is done, the challenge for the State Government will be to determine whether the proposed recommendations are more worthy of investment compared with other public transport improvements already identified.’’

Many north eastern suburbs would benefit from the project.

The suburbs to benefit the most from the project, which has not yet been costed, would be Golden Grove, Wynn Vale, Redwood Park, Surrey Downs, Modbury Heights and Ridgehaven.

Mr Mullighan said public input into the route to be taken by the new track would be an important component of the project.