Tonsley line extension

[colinw]

The Tonsley line has HUGE potential.

Extending it a bit further would connect it to Flinders University.

A very timely comment, TramTrain. 

Adelaide Now: Transport plan for Adelaide's south -> click here.

Transport plan for Adelaide's south

Daniel Wills, Political Reporter | From: AdelaideNow | October 28, 2010 1:43PM

RAIL services would extend to Flinders University and a major new underpass would be constructed between Sturt and Main South roads as part of a State Government transport vision.

Transport Minister Pat Conlon today unveiled the Government's draft Darlington Transport Study, which has been two years in the making and will be released for public consultation on Monday.

The vision includes proposals for a weekday tram-train service along a duplicated Tonsley rail line requiring construction of new stations at Sturt and the Flinders Medical Centre.

Is this the best transport plan for the south? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comment box below.

Mr Conlon conceded the final bill was likely to include "big numbers" but said he was confident of securing Federal Government support to deliver the plan.

"At the end of the day, it's not a funded project. I have no doubt that people will criticise it for that," he said.

"We will also be going out to consultation and what you're seeing here is a simulation, not a final design.

"I don't think we will be putting numbers on it now.

"Any numbers that were put on it now may be misleading.

"We're not frightened of the numbers. They're going to be big."

Mr Conlon said other major infrastructure and road projects underway in SA proved the state's capacity to leverage money from Canberra.

The Government hopes to begin construction of elements of the plan in 2015-16.

"I'm confident that if this isn't all funded at once, it will all be funded over time," he said.

"What we have sought to do is create projects that have a very good benefit-cost analysis and that's the way Commonwealth funding has been allocated.

"I'm confident that you'll see them all rolled out.

"It'll happen. Adelaide is never going to go back to being the sleepy little country town people thought it was."

Mr Conlon said the state would also be forced to "make a contribution".

Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese said the projects were intended to ensure Adelaide remained "a great place to live, work and raise a family".

"It is essential that planning for projects of this magnitude is done properly so that we can avoid leaving a laughable legacy like the previous Liberal government's absurd one-way expressway," he said.

Voters will be able to access the plan online from Monday.

[Stillwater]

QUOTE: "South Australian Transport Minister Pat Conlon today unveiled the Government's draft Darlington Transport Study, which has been two years in the making and will be released for public consultation on Monday.  The vision includes proposals for a weekday tram-train service along a duplicated Tonsley rail line requiring construction of new stations at Sturt and the Flinders Medical Centre.
Mr Conlon conceded the final bill was likely to include "big numbers" but said he was confident of securing Federal Government support to deliver the plan.
Mr Conlon said the state would also be forced to "make a contribution".

Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese said the projects were intended to ensure Adelaide remained "a great place to live, work and raise a family".

"It is essential that planning for projects of this magnitude is done properly so that we can avoid leaving a laughable legacy like the previous Liberal government's absurd one-way expressway," he said."
COMMENT:  As with the proposed Melbourne Metro and plans for a new rail tunnel beneath Sydney Harbour, this is the latest in the list of 'big ticket' items that states are preparing and planning, ready for the next round of infrastructure funding from the federal government.
Let's hope that the Queensland Government is preparing the best possible bid for the CRR, because it will forfeit otherwise.  And there will be no-one but the government to blame.
Mr Albanese says it all: "It is essential that planning for projects of this magnitude is done properly so that we can avoid leaving a laughable legacy."
Take careful note Translink and Ms Nolan.

[colinw]

I can't see the Tonsley line extension being anywhere even remotely close to the cost of CRR.  In scope it is more like Darra to Richlands.

Given the shape of Adelaide's network & proximity of Tonsley to Flinders Uni, this extension is an eminently sensible proposal.  I don't think it would be wise to start viewing it, or any other interstate proposal, as a "threat" to Brisbane's projects.

[skippy]

There is some steep topography to negotiate south of Tonsley, so I would not be surprised if the costs are very high.

[#Metro]

This looks like it is true- Google Maps Countour map shows that Flinders University appears to be perched on top of a low hill, much like Griffith University is in Brisbane.

However, if they are smart, they would realize that the freeway has a good gradient and cuttings that could be used for Perth style rail and cheaply too. If the freeway was not wide enough, the outer lanes could be widened by using the shoulder reserve for new car lanes, which would allow the centre lanes to be resumed for rail.