South Australia & NT: Level crossings

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Speed limit changes at level crossings to improve road safety

Speed limits at fourteen level crossings in rural South Australia are to be reduced from 110 and 100 kilometres per hour to 80 kilometres per hour, as part of the state government's effort to improve road safety.

Road safety minister Peter Malinauskas said that the intention behind the changes is to provide drivers more time to see and stop for approaching trains.

"When approaching level crossings in regional areas that don't have warning signals, drivers need to be aware of the potential for a train to approach and be ready to stop if required," the minister said.

"Fortunately, road safety incidents on rural level crossings are rare but the consequences can be catastrophic. This preventative measure has the potential to save lives and avert serious injury."

Between 2012 and 2016, 13 crashes have occurred at level crossings on sealed rural state roads with a speed limit of 100 or 110 kilometres per hour, while at the 14 crossings subject to changes, there were 8 near misses in the same period.

As part of the changes, 'Railway Crossing' signs are to be partnered with the new speed limit signs.

Malinauskas also encouraged regional councils in the state to "follow the government's lead and reduce speed limits on the approach to level crossings under their care and control".

The 14 level crossings are:

    Balaklava Road (Port Wakefield to Auburn) at Bowmans
    Mallala Road (Mallala to Two Wells) at Korunye
    Ngarkat Highway at Cannawigara
    Goolwa Road (Mount Compass to Goolwa) at Currency Creek
    Alexandrina Road (Blackwood to Goolwa) at Currency Creek
    Long Valley Road (Mount Barker to Strathalbyn at Gemmells
    Wilkins Highway (Warnertown to Jamestown) at Caltowie
    Horrocks Pass Road (Main North Road) at Winninowie
    Flinders Ranges Way (Summit Crossing) at Summit and (Big Dip Crossing) at Woolshed Flat
    Olympic Dam Highway (Olympic Dam to Pimba) at Out of Districts
    Point Lowly Road (Port Bonython Road) at Cultana
    Iron Baron Road (Iron Knob to Puddle Holes Dam) at Iron Baron
    Flinders Highway at Coomunga

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Governments budget $402m for Adelaide road grade separations

The South Australian Liberal Government and Federal Government are joint funding a $402 million grade separation project at Torrens Road (Ovingham) and Brighton Road (Hove) in Adelaide.

The funding will be delivered as part of the 2019–20 state budget and includes $231 million to fix the rail crossing at Torrens Road and $171 million for the crossing at Brighton Road. The funding builds on the previously announced $305 million for intersection upgrades for a total of $707 million in congestion-related infrastructure spending for the city.

State Premier Steven Marshall said that the changes would allow South Australians to spend less time stuck in traffic and more time with their loved ones at home.

"The State Liberal Government is building congestion busting infrastructure to cut travel times for motorists and improve safety on our roads," said South Australian Premier Steven Marshall.

"We are partnering with the Federal Liberal Government to deliver two grade separations and seven intersection upgrades in the upcoming state budget."

The two projects are intended to remove the crossings along the busy Seaford and Gawler train lines in order to ease congestion and cut travel times, according to Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government Stephan Knoll.

"The Seaford and Gawler train lines are our most heavily patronised train lines and when the boom gates come day, it frustrates motorists on their way to work or home," Knoll said.

"In fact, we know that during peak periods at the Brighton Road level crossing, the boom gates are down for about 20 per cent of the time – or about 25 minutes."

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> Two killed after train smashes into car near Mallala


Two people died in the crash. Picture Dean Martin

A man and a woman have been killed in a collision between a car and a train – and another man was fighting for life after a second crash just 90 minutes later.

In the first crash, a car and a train collided at the Old Dublin Rd level crossing south of Mallala just after 3pm today.

Police confirmed a man and a woman died at the scene.

The collision with the 1.8km Pacific National freight train happened at a level crossing on a road leading to a private property.

An Australian Rail Track Corporation spokesman said the freight train was travelling from Perth to Melbourne.

Services were suspended as Major Crash investigators examined the cause of the fatal collision.

...

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Two killed when freight train hits car at Mallala, north of Adelaide

Two people have died in a crash between a train and a car at a level crossing at Mallala, north of Adelaide, police say.

Key points:
A train hit a car at an unsignalled level crossing at Mallala, north of Adelaide
Two people in the car died at the scene
Police will look at video from the train to work out what happened
The crash happened shortly after 3:00pm, just south of the town, about 60 kilometres north of Adelaide.

Two people died at the scene when the Ford four-wheel drive they were in was hit by the train.

Police have not released any more details about the victims because they have not yet been able to contact their next of kin.

Police closed the main Mallala to Two Wells road to all traffic.

Major Crash investigators were at the scene.

The level crossing had no boom gates or stop sign.

Police said the two train drivers hit the emergency brakes upon impact, but the train took nearly its full 1,800-metre length to come to a standstill.

Chief Inspector Shane Addison said it was not yet known how fast the train was travelling.

"That is all currently part of the investigation," he said.

"I am aware that the train carries a video tape and has a data recorder, and all of that information is in the process of being collected as part of the investigation."

The Australian Rail Track Corporation said it was a Pacific National freight train heading from Perth to Melbourne.

A Pacific National spokeswoman said one of the company's freight trains was involved in a fatal incident at a level crossing near Two Wells.

"Emergency services are on the scene and the incident will be subject to investigation," she said. ...

[ozbob]

^ ABC News is incorrect.  LX has ' stop ' and  ' look for trains ' signs.

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> Man dies in truck and train collision at Culburra in state's southeast

A 62-year-old man has died after his truck collided with a freight train at a level crossing in the state's southeast. Two drivers on board the train were not injured.

A truck driver has died after his prime mover collided with a freight train at a level crossing in the state's southeast.

The 62-year-old man from Meningie died near the intersection of Boothby Rd and Dukes Highway at Culburra about 12.30pm on Sunday.

Two drivers aboard the train – which was travelling to Dimboola in western Victoria – were not injured in the crash.

Culburra is about 70km southeast of Tailem Bend and about 150 southeast of Adelaide.

The railway is the direct transport link between Adelaide and Melbourne.

Boothby Rd is closed to all traffic between Richardson Rd and the Dukes Highway, which remains open.

The man's death means 37 lives have been lost on South Australian roads this year, compared to 38 at the same time in 2019.

Meanwhile, a motorcyclist has broken two wrists and a leg in an Adelaide Hills crash.

The rider collided with a car on North East Rd, Chain of Ponds, about 1.45pm on Sunday.

He was transported to Royal Adelaide Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

And in the western suburbs, a driver escaped serious injury when his car flipped and landed in bushes on the footpath just before 1pm.

The 40-year-old man was trapped inside the vehicle – on Bartley Tce at West Lakes Shore – for some time before he could be freed.

He was also taken to the RAH in stable condition.

[Cazza]

https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.8117408,139.9617102,3a,75y,239.15h,77.8t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sRyeyJfDJIlLiCxbCEtw9cw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

I believe this is the crossing. No lights or barriers. Just a stop sign.

[ozbob]

https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.8117408,139.9617102,3a,75y,239.15h,77.8t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sRyeyJfDJIlLiCxbCEtw9cw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

I believe this is the crossing. No lights or barriers. Just a stop sign.

Yes, that would be the one.  It is possible the driver stopped.  Looked clear and proceeded and possibly stalled on the crossing.

To be determined.

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> Torrens Rd to be elevated over Ovingham rail crossing in plan to bust peak-hour congestion and create construction jobs


The existing level crossing at Torrens Rd, Ovingham. Picture: Brenton Edwards


The upgrade will elevate Torrens Rd over the train line.

Torrens Rd will be elevated over the Gawler freight rail lines in a major fix for the Ovingham level crossing that has frustrated peak-hour motorists for years.

The State and Federal Governments on Monday made a joint announcement on progress for the project, for which $231 million has so far been committed.

The crossing is located near the fringe of the Adelaide CBD on Torrens Rd at Ovingham. An average of 23,000 vehicles pass through the level crossing each day.

The boom gates at Torrens Rd, Ovingham are down for approximately 22 per cent of the time in peak traffic.

The State Government says removal of the level crossing will lead to improved travel times for motorists, better reliability for buses using Torrens Rd and increased freight productivity.

The western end of Churchill Rd is also set to be raised to meet the elevated Torrens Rd.

Early works are expected to begin this year, and major works next year.

The build is expected to be complete in 2023.

Premier Steven Marshall said it was part of a record $12.9 billion infrastructure spend.

"We have created a massive pipeline of infrastructure works to support local construction jobs and businesses here in SA," he said.

"As part of our strong plan to ensure SA bounces back stronger than before, we are also delivering a further $1 billion of economic stimulus."

Federal Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge said the project would bust congestion and deliver an "essential" boost to SA's economy and jobs.

Major infrastructure projects including BHP's proposed expansion of Olympic Dam are also being fast-tracked as part of Prime Minister Scott Morrison's plan to build the nation out of the COVID-19 recession.

The Torrens Rd build is expected to support 105 jobs a year over the life of the project.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/DPTI_SA/status/1290443022216450049

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1335964946182467584

[ozbob]

Adelaide Now --> Transport Department reveals 31 highest risk level crossing $

... The SA Transport Department has released a list of 31 level crossings that pose the "highest risk" to road users and cause the most delays.

There are eight high-risk crossings on the Gawler train line and seven on the Seaford route.

Dangerous crossings have been identified across a range of suburbs including Unley Park, Dry Creek, Salisbury, St Clair, Seaton and Edwardstown.

The government also labelled four tram crossings on the Glenelg line at Goodwood, Plympton Park and Morphettville as high risk. ...

... There are 127 level crossings in Adelaide.

Some are closed to traffic for up to 25 per cent of peak traffic periods. ...

The most dangerous level crossings in SA

Cross Road, Unley Park

Main Road, Glenalta

Main Road, Blackwood

Daws Road, Mitchell Park

Torrens Road, Ovingham

Pym Street, Prospect

Cormack Road, Dry Creek

Kings Road, Parafield

Park Terrace, Salisbury

Commercial Road, Salisbury

Womma Road, Edinburgh North

Curtis Road, Munno Para

Goodwood Road, Goodwood (tram)

Marion Road, Plympton Park (tram)

Cross Road, Plympton Park (tram)

Morphett Road, Morphettville (tram)

Port Road, Albert Park

Tapleys Hill Road, Seaton

Frederick Road, Seaton

Kilkenny Road, Woodville

Woodville Road, St Clair

Cheltenham Parade, St Clair

Semaphore Road, Exeter

Strathfield Terrace, Largs North

East Avenue, Clarence Gardens

Cross Road, Black Forest

De Laine Avenue, Edwardstown

Raglan Avenue, Edwardstown

Brighton Road, Hove

Jetty Road, Brighton

Sixth Avenue, Ascot Park

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1397209827277950977

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/DFIT_SA/status/1435475486201638914

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/DFIT_SA/status/1478527132577894400

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/AussieWirraway/status/1619484533782646784

[verbatim9]

Trams to be shut down for a period of time to make way for a tram overpass at Marion Road--->

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsAdel/status/1668964739496673280

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1669089268336033792

[Gazza]

It was rail car (or rail motor for some) but we get your drift.

Single track drifting.

[ozbob]

https://x.com/DFIT_SA/status/1815594666399547578

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Pastoralist pushes for safety upgrades to rail crossing where cattle truck collided with The Ghan tourist train



Andy Hayes says the rail crossing is a known danger zone for drivers.  (ABC News: Xavier Martin)

A Northern Territory pastoralist has called for safety upgrades to an outback railway crossing where a truck carrying his cattle collided with The Ghan tourist train.

Police and NT WorkSafe are investigating the crash, which occurred at about 10am on Sunday at the Arltunga crossing, 60 kilometres north of Alice Springs.

According to the NT Police Force, The Ghan was travelling southbound through the intersection when a cattle truck collided with the train's second locomotive.

The cattle truck driver was treated for shock and taken to hospital, but the train passengers and cattle escaped without serious injury. ...

[ozbob]

Granted, the LX could be improved but the cattle road train hit the second locomotive.  This suggests a failure to stop at the LX by the road vehicle driver.