Transport Minister Stephan Knoll says ‘light at the end of tunnel’ for Oaklands crossing fix, after three weeks of train disruption

Southern train commuters face more than three weeks of outages as the Oaklands crossing upgrade enters its final stages. Here’s what to expect.

• Work on Oaklands Crossing rail project to begin
• Bird’s eye view of $174m Oaklands Crossing upgrade

Southern train commuters face more than three weeks of outages, as the Oaklands crossing upgrade enters its final stages.

Transport Minister Stephan Knoll on Sunday confirmed significant disruption to the Seaford and Tonsley train lines between Friday, April 12 and Sunday May 5 as works continue.

He said substitute buses would be used, and the new rail line connected in May.

The Oaklands intersection has been a cause of major frustration for southern motorists, who are often kept waiting for lengthy periods as trains pass through the level crossing.

The outages between the last services on April 12 and May 5 are:

SEAFORD trains will run between Seaford Railway Station and Brighton Railway Station, with substitute buses between Brighton Railway Station and Adelaide Railway Station.

TONSLEY trains will have substitute buses between Tonsley Railway Station and the city.

Artist impressions of the Oaklands Crossing.

And again from above.

The Government says that motorists will no longer have to stop for trains at the Morphett

and Diagonal roads intersection when the works are complete.

Connection requires 24/7 work during the closure to tie into the existing rail corridor, and the Government is stressing it has been timed to coincide with lower traffic volumes during school holidays and Easter.

Mr Knoll said the closure will also be used as an opportunity to undertake other “essential works” like line marking, minor station works, graffiti removal, and signalling maintenance.

“It’s great news that we finally have light at the end of the tunnel and the State Government

asks for the local community’s patience throughout the rail line closure,” he said.

“Project works will continue until the middle of 2019 to complete the old station removal, road upgrades, car park construction, reinstatement and landscaping.”

Federal Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Minister Alan Tudge said the Coalition’s $95 million investment in the was part of a big spend across SA.

“Fixing this level crossing will make a huge difference to motorists in the area,” he said.

Commuters are expected to be delayed.

The project is a key issue in the federal seat of Boothby, held by Liberal MP Nicolle Flint and considered to be the state’s only true marginal heading into a national election tipped for May.

She said the local community “has exercised a great deal of patience since construction began on this project, so I’m pleased we can update the community on this significant progress”.

“(They) will be delighted that in a matter of months they will never have to wait for another train at this intersection again and the majority of works will be complete,” Ms Flint said.

The $174 million upgrade is funded by all three tiers of government.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas has seized on new figures obtained under Freedom of Information to refute claims that only poorly-used bus services are being closed.

The move was made in the State Budget, in a cost cutting drive, and Mr Knoll said only services which had low patronage or that duplicated nearby train services would be slashed.

Mr Malinauskas on Sunday produced documents showing up to 27 people used an afternoon service of the 750B bus daily, and said others facing the axe also had “healthy” numbers.

“The Marshall Liberal Government must come clean with where they are targeting next and be honest about why particular services are being chosen,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“South Australians just can’t understand why the Marshall Liberal Government can find $42 million to build a hotel at Adelaide Oval but can’t find the money to support vital public services.”

Taxpayers are supplying the hotel cash as a loan, which the Government says will be paid back by the Stadium Management Authority at a higher rate and deliver a Budget profit.

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