Wherever railway lines meet a road or footpath – a unique set of safety hazards exist.
Engineering and infrastructure improvements, installation of warning signals and automatic pedestrian gates, education and enforcement can improve safety at level crossings. However, in line with other Australian jurisdictions, we also need to consider reducing the number of railway crossings.
The combination of speed, people and freight travelling on intersecting rail and road systems has the potential for high impact or catastrophic incidents. Even a collision with a low speed train or tram can result in serious injury or death, particularly for pedestrians.
The fewer opportunities for people and vehicles to meet at an intersecting train or tram track, the safer and more reliable our network will be. Other benefits include improved traffic flow and reduced travel times, allowing us to more efficiently move people, goods and services on our roads and public transport networks.
The Railway Crossing Safety Improvement Program aims to improve safety at South Australia’s railway crossings in line with South Australia’s Railway Crossing Safety Strategy (PDF, 1305 KB) (PDF, 1305 KB).
The $238 million Torrens Junction rail underpass at Park Terrace, and the Outer Harbor rail overpass built as part of the $896 million Torrens to Torrens project have significantly improved safety and efficiency with drivers no longer having to wait for trains to pass and include improved features for commuters, pedestrians and bicyclists.
The $174 million Oaklands Crossing Grade Separation Project, completed in July 2019, has improved safety for all road users and eases traffic congestion as a result of lowering the rail line under the road and removing the level crossing at the intersection of Morphett and Diagonal roads.
The next priority level crossings identified for removal are Torrens Road, Ovingham and Brighton Road, Hove.
The $615 million Gawler Rail Electrification Project will deliver a faster, cleaner and more reliable service, delivering an electrified network between Gawler and Seaford, through Adelaide, that will support increased capacity and future growth for development along the rail corridor and in northern Adelaide.
The next priority level crossing identified for removal is Oaklands Crossing. Site set up commenced in April 2018 with the project commencing mid-2018 until late 2019.
Black contrasting line marking, aimed at improving road safety and visibility, will be trialled on the Northern Connector in a state-first.
The new line marking will require the temporary full closure of the Northern Connector to all southbound traffic, and the temporary partial closure to northbound traffic, next weekend.
Additional vehicles registered in South Australia have now been identified as having been fitted with a “critical” Takata airbag, and will be refused registration to ensure the safety of all road users.
Black contrasting line marking, aimed at improving road safety and visibility, will be trialled on the Northern Connector in a state-first.
The new line marking will require the temporary full closure of the Northern Connector to all southbound traffic, and the temporary partial closure to northbound traffic, next weekend.
As part of the Darlington Upgrade Project, night and weekend works will be undertaken in the lowered motorway and on South Road to install the final layer of asphalt and line marking.