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Project Overview

The Australian and South Australian governments have announced $196 million towards the removal of the level crossing at Torrens Road, Ovingham.

The crossing is located near the fringe of the Adelaide CBD on Torrens Road at Ovingham. An average of 21,300 vehicles pass through this level crossing each day.

The boom gates at Torrens Road, Ovingham are down for approximately 22 per cent of the time during the combined AM and PM peak periods.

The junction of Torrens Road and Churchill Road is approximately 100 metres from the level crossing.

Torrens Road crosses both the interstate rail line and the Gawler passenger rail line.

Removal of the level crossing will lead to improved:

  • travel times for motorists
  • reliability for buses using Torrens Road
  • increased freight productivity
  • safety for all road users (motorists, cyclists and pedestrians) by removing a road-rail crossing point

The South Australian State Government is delivering the project as part of an alliance with McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd, Mott MacDonald Australia Pty Ltd and Arup Pty Ltd, meaning a collaborative approach will be taken to complete the works.

Latest News

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Reusing vegetation

Tue, 08 June

The Ovingham Level Crossing Removal Project is reusing vegetation.

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Project Updates and Notifications

Project Timelines

On 18 January 2021, the State and Federal governments announced the contract award for the delivery phase of the project.

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. 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.

The project is due for completion in 2023, weather permitting.

Enabling works, including site office establishment, fencing, median removals and service relocations will be undertaken from January to May 2021, with bridge construction commencing soon after.

Ovingham Level Crossing Removal Project - Timeline

Early Investigation Works

November and December 2020
Investigation works including geotechnical investigations and location of utility services

Demolition of Drayton Street commercial property

January and February 2021
Demolition of the Drayton Street commercial properties for site office establishment

Enabling works

January to May 2021
Site establishment, fencing, median removals, service relocations and site clearance

First traffic switch

Mid 2021
Changes to the Churchill Road Intersection to enable works to begin

Start of piling works for the bridge

Mid 2021
Piling for the bridge starts

Project completion

2023
Completion of the project and removal of the level crossing

Community Engagement

We want to hear from you about what is important in your community and what you would like to see in the area.

You can provide feedback though the online engagement hub

You can also sign up for email updates.

Feedback provided by the community is important and will continue to help inform the development of the design.

As part of the project’s early concept design and review process, two information sessions were held to meet members of the community and seek feedback.

The information sessions were held at the Brompton Primary School on Saturday, 8 August, between 12.00pm and 2.00pm and Monday, 10 August 2020, between 6.00pm and 8.00pm.

A community information session was also held at the Austrian Club on 12 December 2020, between 11am and 2pm so that community members could view the updated design for the project, and understand how the comments and feedback received at the sessions in August 2020 has shaped the design.

In addition to the community information session, updated project information is also available in an updated virtual engagement room, where there is the opportunity to provide further feedback on the updated design and can be accessed here.

Community engagement activities will continue as the project progresses further.

Ovingham Level Crossing Removal Project What we Heard - December 2020

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Project Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the purpose of the Ovingham Level Crossing Removal Project?

    Separating the rail line from the road (grade separation) at the Torrens Road level crossing will:

    • Improve safety for all road users (motorists, cyclists and pedestrians).
    • Cut travel times for motorists.
    • Increase freight productivity.
    • Improve reliability for buses on Torrens Road.
    • Improve walkability by creation of new community open space.
  • How much will the project cost?

    The total budget for the Ovingham Level Crossing Removal Project is $196million.

  • When will construction commence?

    When will construction commence?

    Early works started in late 2020, with major construction to start in mid-2021 and project completion anticipated in 2023.

  • What community engagement has been undertaken to date?

    Planning Phase:

    Community engagement activities were undertaken during the planning phase of the project during late 2019 / early 2020 to help inform the selection of a preferred design solution, from four options identified as part of the planning study (refer to the factsheet ‘Understanding the different design options’).

    During the planning phase, the project team hosted five community information sessions (which were attended by over 150 people), and interviewed key businesses and residents within the project area. In addition, 366 survey responses were received during the planning phase, mostly from local residents and business owners.

    This feedback was used, along with technical advice, as part of an options assessment process to inform the selection of a preferred design solution, which was to raise the road over the railway line.

    Concept Design:

    A second round of community engagement activities were undertaken during the development of an initial concept design, which was made publicly available in July 2020. During August 2020, four community information sessions were hosted to discuss the initial concept design that were attended by over 135 local residents.

    An online engagement hub was also launched for the community to access project information and submit questions and feedback to the project team, via an online map and virtual information sessions. These online tools have ensured that engagement with the community has continued during COVID-19 restrictions.

    The project team has also met with the Cities of Charles Sturt and Prospect, Kaurna Elders, local schools, businesses and residents associations to discuss the concept design and seek further feedback.

    Finalising the Design:

    The concept design has been updated and refined based on feedback received and is now available for public viewing on our website: www.DIT.sa.gov.au/OvinghamLXing

    It is anticipated that the design will be finalised in early2021.

    You can read how community engagement has fed into the design in the factsheet ‘What we Heard’ on the project website.

  • Will Ovingham Railway Station be upgraded as part of this project?

    Upgrading Ovingham Railway Station is not included as part of this project.

  • Will there be any impacts to passenger rail services?

    During construction there will be some occasions when a temporary closure of the Gawler Rail Line is required. When this occurs, substitute buses will be in place and will replicate the level of service and frequency of train services as closely as possible.

  • How will traffic be managed during construction?

    Once the design is finalised, the construction program will be developed to minimise traffic impacts. Whilst it is likely there will be some traffic impacts, much of the major bridgeworks will be undertaken offline so as to minimise the traffic impacts on Torrens Road.

    When there are temporary impacts to motorists, pedestrians and cyclists, road users will be notified and signs and traffic controllers will be in place for safety. Road users will also be notified early of any possible impacts to access.

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