Contract awarded for Ovingham level crossing project

The Morrison and Marshall governments are getting on with fixing one of Adelaide’s most frustrating traffic bottlenecks, announcing the successful tenderer for the $196 million jointly funded Ovingham Level Crossing Grade Separation Project.

Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said awarding the contract puts Adelaide one step closer to a safer and more reliable crossing.

“A consortium of McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd, Mott MacDonald Australia Pty Ltd and Arup Pty Ltd has been selected to remove the Ovingham Level Crossing and elevate Torrens Road over the Gawler Rail Line,” Minister Fletcher said.

“Upgrading this crossing will change the way people move around Adelaide, improving both travel times and connectivity.

“The Australian Government is investing $98 million in this project through the Urban Congestion Fund, so that we continue to make it safer and easier for the motorists who drive on these urban roads.”

South Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Corey Wingard MP, said the decrease in total project cost means the savings can be used to offset overruns on other projects.

“This project will make a huge difference for thousands of motorists while also creating 265 full-timeequivalent jobs per year averaged over the construction period. “The boom gates at this location are currently down for approximately 22 per cent of the time during the combined AM and PM peak periods,” Minister Wingard said.

“Removing the level crossing will not only improve safety on our roads but also cut travel times for the 21,300 vehicles on average that pass through the crossing each day.

“It will also provide for improved reliability on the bus network and freight productivity.”

State Member for Adelaide, Rachel Sanderson MP, said the crossing will be a huge investment for the region, providing lasting infrastructure for the community.

“The Marshall Liberal Government is delivering a long overdue upgrade that will benefit many people in the local area and surrounds,” Ms Sanderson said.

“This project is not only creating more than 100 jobs, it will save valuable minutes off travel times and improve green spaces around the intersection.”

The level crossing currently caters for both the interstate rail line and the Gawler passenger rail line. The scope of works for the project includes:

 grade separation of rail and road with construction of the road overpass on Torrens Road over the rail corridor

 railway signalling and overhead wiring modifications as required to support the new track alignment

 upgrading the signalised junction of Torrens and Churchill roads  an additional city-bound through lane at the junction of Torrens and Churchill roads

 local connectivity amenity and activation of new open space (under the elevated road) for the benefit of the local residents and community

 continuation of the Gawler Greenway and new pedestrian pathways, including modifications to the pedestrian crossings of the railway lines.

The consortium has previously completed major infrastructure works in South Australia, as part of the Public Transport Projects Alliance, including the Oaklands Level Crossing Grade Separation project, and is currently delivering the Regency Road to Pym Street Project as part of the North-South Corridor.

Early works are underway, with major construction expected to commence mid-2021 and project completion expected in 2023, weather permitting.

The Ovingham Level Crossing Project funding is evenly split between the Australian and South Australian governments with both committing $98 million.