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15799 New Connections Tabliod 3_updated:Layout 1 17/2/09 11:42 AM Page 1 ISSUE 3 MARCH 2009 > Project Director Luigi Rossi with some of the massive earthmovers now shaping the Northern Expressway. > An aerial view of the Northern Expressway at Gawler River. express roll-out underway Construction of the 23km Northern Project Director Luigi Rossi said he’s pleased with “Around 250 people attended the quick progress made and is looking forward Expressway is well underway with to the project's new on-site asphalt plant for a bus tour of the site to gain trucks now rolling up and down commencing production. an appreciation of its size and the alignment. “The first 45,000 tonnes of asphalt will be laid over the considerable amount of work the next couple of months on the section of the that has occurred already,” Progress has been rapid with many of the local expressway north of Two Wells Road,” Mr Rossi said. road closures already in place to allow activities “Most road closures are now in place to allow Mr Rossi said. such as the pouring of cement and placement of unimpeded construction of the expressway through > continued page 5 beams for the bridge structures at the Curtis Road to its completion in late 2010.” and Angle Vale Road to occur. Mr Rossi said the community open day for The expressway’s pathway between Penfield Road the Northern Expressway, held late last year, to the Gawler Airfield has been carved from the demonstrated the level of local community interest landscape, giving a sense of the scale to the project in this massive project – the largest in South Australia previously only visible from plans and animations. for half a century. www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au March 2009 1 15799 New Connections Tabliod 3_updated:Layout 1 17/2/09 11:42 AM Page 2 by Hook contents That modern day font of knowledge Wikipedia defines sustainability as: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It’s an especially pertinent definition where major projects are concerned. Our projects are designed to meet the needs of communities today and tomorrow. Take the Northern Expressway. We’re building a 23-kilometre dual carriageway from the northern suburbs to Gawler to reduce heavy vehicle traffic on local roads and through local towns – making them safer and improving living standards. At the same time we’re providing transport options for people that will settle further north as South p6 Australia targets a population of two million by 2050. The expressway is contributing to environmental sustainability through a bicycle and walking path p7 stretching its length. p7 Public transport also has a role to play. With an increasing focus on climate change and reducing emissions, having more cars on the road isn’t sustainable. p8 Hence many of our major projects will revitalise public transport. For the first time, New Connections features information to help you use our bus, train and tram network and learn about innovations and grand strategic infrastructure plan plans to make it the best it can be. > Develop and deepen Outer Harbor and substantially It’s just another way we are doing our bit to be improve infrastructure at the Port of Adelaide. sustainable and deliver our transport future now. > Improve the north-south corridor. Rod Hook Executive Director > Develop and maintain regional freight networks. Office of Major Projects & Infrastructure > Increase use of public transport. adelaide’s sustainable transport future South Australia is commited to sustainability – one of six State Strategic Plan objectives is dedicated to it. The challenge of sustainable development requires the focus, commitment and ingenuity of all South Australians. Adelaide’s increasing population and housing demand means urban sustainability lies firmly in the realm of Transit Oriented Developments or TODs as they are also known. TODs are made up of medium to high density housing clustered around public transport hubs to allow residents ease of travel without using a private vehicle. Rod Hook, Executive Director of the Office of Major Projects and Infrastructure said this marks a conscious > A concept image of an electric train at a redeveloped Noarlunga Station (image for illustrative purposes only). shift away from traditional single-level developments on the urban fringe. The State Government has set the scene for TODs and residential precinct is linked with light rail across Adelaide by committing $2 billion to upgrade to the city and eventually electrified rail to the “Creating dense social and economic activity centres the transport network. Some 14 opportunities have Port and Semaphore. linked by public transport corridors makes great been identified in the metropolitan area, each Many other TOD development opportunities exist sense,” Mr Hook said. requiring treatment as unique projects and in Adelaide including Port Adelaide, Cheltenham, innovative approaches to succeed. “They create a sense of place and community and Castle Plaza at Edwardstown, Marion Domain – guarantee that public transport networks are well The Government’s acquisition of the Clipsal site extension of the Tonsley Line to Flinders Medical utilised over their lifespan, reduce congestion on our at Brompton is a prime example. This site Centre as part of the Darlington Transport Project, and roads and over time can make significant inroads is an opportunity to demonstrate the multiple the potential redevelopment and/or upgrade of existing towards reducing the State’s ecological footprint.” benefits of TODs where an entertainment facilities at Noarlunga Centre, Elizabeth and Gawler. • 2 March 2009 www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au 15799 New Connections Tabliod 3_updated:Layout 1 17/2/09 11:42 AM Page 3 > A concept image of an electric train crossing the Onkaparinga River on an extended line to Seaford (image for illustrative purposes only). new transport projects on horizon South Australia’s submission to the Building Australia Fund could see even more transport infrastructure projects delivered across Adelaide. Priorities include the extension of the rail line across the Onkaparinga River. Additional rail vehicles to Seaford, accelerating the upgrade of the are also a component of the submission, which Gawler line, the Darlington transport project, includes construction of new rail stations. which would include a new Flinders transport > accelerating the upgrade and electrification interchange, and upgrades of the Torrens of the Gawler rail line – this could be brought and Goodwood rail junctions. forward by two years with funding assistance Last year’s State Budget announced a $2 billion from Infrastructure Australia. The Gawler line work > A concept image of an electric train at a redeveloped commitment to revitalising the public transport system would be able to proceed in parallel with the Gawler Station (image for illustrative purposes only). and a partnership with the Commonwealth via Noarlunga line upgrade. Infrastructure Australia would add to this already > upgrade of Torrens and Goodwood rail junctions – > north-south corridor – Darlington project – massive expenditure. to improve rail crossing and associated works near the construction of an underpass on South Road, South Australia’s priority projects are: Goodwood and North Adelaide where standard under Sturt Road and an extension of the Tonsley gauge mainline railway linking Melbourne and Rail line to the Flinders Medical Centre with the > extension of the rail network to Seaford – includes Adelaide twice crosses the TransAdelaide urban creation of a Flinders transport interchange station. • construction of 5.5km electrified railway with a bridge passenger network. green growth study underway The State Government is contributing towards a long-term project to assess urban sustainability in developing nations, with in-house infrastructure academic Dr David Ness taking a leading role. Dr Ness believes transport is a central part “It highlights the challenge of the developing world “By using a combination of economic, social and of urban development together with the use to achieve economic growth, but with less resource environmental disciplines we can find new ways of available water, energy, education, health, use and lower social and environmental impacts to plan for green growth and break free of current housing and the related land use. compared with Western nations.” unsustainable growth patterns,” said Dr Ness. “We’re looking at patterns of urban and “The challenge is to develop rapidly growing cities “The green growth ideas being trialled in Adelaide infrastructure development to see how they affect in a more sustainable manner.” could help cities across the world, including rapidly consumption patterns that once set can stay in growing urban areas within the Asia-Pacific, A related UniSA study is taking a close look at place for decades,” said Dr Ness. become more sustainable.” • transit oriented urban development in Adelaide “The United Nations’ Green Growth agenda as a case study for what might take place is the driving force behind this study.” elsewhere in the world. www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au March 2009 3 15799 New Connections Tabliod 3_updated:Layout 1 17/2/09 11:42 AM Page 4 port wakefield northern connector back up to speed A preferred route for the South Australian first Locals last year breathed a sigh of relief when speed restrictions were lifted on Port Wakefield Northern Connector’s road and rail corridor Road in time for the busy summer holiday period. is expected to be known in a matter of months. It signalled that the $30 million upgrade was effectively complete. Consultation with community, business and environmental groups has generated Motorists are now enjoying free flowing traffic along a significant amount of information to assist in the route selection process. the 12-kilometre corridor upgraded last year. A variety of opportunities will be provided to make comment on the preferred route. It now has greater capacity with extra lanes as well One–to–one meetings, community forums and staffed shopping centre displays will be widely as new and upgraded traffic signals.