Running a rail line under Torrens Rd at Ovingham would require 109 properties be demolished and cost $61m

Building a rail line under Torrens Road – rather than elevating the road over existing train tracks at Ovingham – would mean an estimated 109 homes and businesses face the wrecking ball.

Putting a train line underground as part of $231 million fix for the Ovingham level-crossing bottleneck would force the compulsory acquisition of 109 properties, the State Government says.

New figures show acquiring the homes and businesses could cost $61 million, causing a blowout to the original price tag.

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Corey Wingard has unveiled the costs as debate rages over the best way to proceed.

The government is proposing a road be built over the rail line, as opposed to the rail line going under the road.

“We are consulting the local community on the preferred design and will continue to do so over the coming months,” Mr Wingard said.

The upgrade will elevate Torrens Rd over the train line.

A screengrab of the video showing how the upgrade will work.

“The department held two information sessions in early August and the community can continue to have their say and provide feedback on the design … until the end of November.”

Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas said the community-consultation process had been bungled.

“Finding a solution to this level crossing is an important and welcomed project but it must be done so in the interests of the community,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“The community were given no choice, no details, and no costings on an underpass. Only the government’s preferred option of an overpass was put to the community.”