#Vision: $779 MILLION Western Suburbs Tram network
Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 1:42 pm
From The Messenger:
Tram network vision unveiled
by David Goldsmith
A $779 MILLION vision for a tram network across the western suburbs has been unveiled by local councils.
The plan which incorporates routes from the city to Adelaide Airport and along Grange Rd to Grange is the key feature of a report from Melbourne consultants Linqage International.
Jointly commissioned by Port Adelaide Enfield, West Torrens, Charles Sturt, Holdfast Bay and Adelaide councils, the scoping study calls for an extensive network of tracks and 36 trams to be established north and west of the city.
Linqage director Chris LeMarshall, who was scheduled to speak at this week’s West Torrens Council meeting, said trams were an ideal means of public transport for Adelaide.
“And unless you invest in a decent public transport system ... Adelaide is going to be gridlocked in about five years,” he said.
“We’ve calculated that 14 trams will replace 30 buses every peak hour. They’re a much, much more efficient way of moving people and they put out about a quarter of the emissions of buses.”
Mr LeMarshall said a tram route to the Adelaide Airport was “ripe for the picking”. “The airport has something like 22 million people movements a year, which is perfect for trams.
He said the fastest route was down Richmond Rd, avoiding the high traffic density and major intersections on Sir Donald Bradman Drive.
A stretch along Prospect Rd had also been identified as a priority route, while another good prospect was Grange Rd.
“There’s lots of schools down there, the population density is right and you’d reach more passengers as opposed to the current railway line, most of which goes through a golf course.”
SA Major Projects and Infrastructure executive directorRod Hook said Adelaide commuters had “voted with their feet” in support of the 2007 extension from Victoria Square to North Terrace.
The government had since committed to the 2.8km extension from North Tce to the Entertainment Centre and the “coast to coast” network from Glenelg to Semaphore via the city.
“We’ve had a number of local councils in all directions putting their hands up saying we’d love you to come to our area,” he said.
“We may see in the future, trams looping around other roads around the city. There may be instances further down the track where trams go on other roads, but that’s not part of the current government’s decision.”