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.

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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.

via AdelaideNow

Video

A passenger on the Noarlunga 5.47pm train, who withheld her name, she they were travelling south when “just before Ascot station the Tonsley line train just carved across”.

“It was very scary seeing this train come towards you, we were going full speed until our driver honked their horn,” the woman said.

“People had their headphones on or reading books, (but) I was the second seat back, the man in front saw it as well it just mesmerises you, you stick to the chair and I don’t think you believe it.”

A Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure spokeswoman confirmed there had been an “operational incident” and TransAdelaide would investigate today.

“The train did not go on to the wrong line, there will be an internal investigation as to what occurred as part of standard procedure,” she said.

She said there were “minimal delays, 20 minutes to half an hour” before the driver was replaced “as a matter of protocol”. The passenger said: “They did apologise profusely, it could have been a disaster.”

via AdelaideNow

A buckled line between Salisbury and Gawler forced TransAdelaide to start a replacement bus service, and replacement services were also introduced between Woodville and Grange, Woodlands Park and Tonsley stations and the Outer Harbor line to shift rolling stock.

The Outer Harbour line is expected to be restarted from 6.48pm.

Bus services, however are operating as scheduled.

Isolated delays associated may occur as a consequence of overheating and power blackouts affecting traffic lights.

Commuters are being advised to prepare for delays and ensure they have water to drink and to make alternative arrangements.

AdelaideNow