The South Australian Government has awarded the contract to deliver stage one of the $615 million Gawler Electrification Project.
In a boost for South Australian jobs, Lendlease was awarded the contract to expand its NorthHub employment and training facility include the Gawler Rail Electrification Project, ensuring that South Australian workers and businesses benefit most from this major infrastructure project.
NorthHub has already set a new benchmark for local industry participation on the Northern Connector project with more than 95 per cent of all labour hours being conducted by South Australians.
The electrification will deliver faster, safer, more reliable and more comfortable rail services which will encourage more people to leave the car at home and take public transport.
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Stephen Mullighan, said on average almost 17,000 passengers use Gawler services each weekday and completing the electrification of the entire line will significantly increase capacity, allowing an extra 2400 passengers an hour to use the train in peak periods.
“Since we electrified the Seaford line, patronage has increased by over one million additional trips a year,” Mr Mullighan said.
“Stage two of the project from Salisbury to Gawler is also ready to proceed and just needs a funding commitment from the Federal Government to give it the green light.”
Stage one of the project will see the Gawler line electrified between Adelaide and Salisbury and include:
- Installation of the overhead wiring system including masts and gantries
- Installation of a new signalling system
- Installation of an Automatic Train Protection system
- Installation of a new fibre optic communications system cable
- Service relocations, vegetation trimming and removal and other works necessary to enable the electrification to proceed
Works will start with the relocation of power, water, gas, telecommunications and stormwater services along the corridor.
The project is expected to be completed by mid-2020.
