[U/C] M2 North-South Motorway

[rev]

This was one of their main election promises. They've been in power for 2 years touting how they're going to build a tunnel (or two separate tunnels) and they're only just now appointing geological experts? What have they been doing for the last 2 years?

If you ask them? Fixing labors mess.
In reality? jack shit.

[Vasco]

**OLD ARTICLE 21/9/2019**

Based on previous post by Norman regarding Geotechnical experts being sought by tender only right now, I find the following following expert interesting. Clearly they didn’t / don’t have any idea.

“The three solutions being examined by the State Government include one super tunnel, or a hybrid option of two tunnels that would mean traffic returning to the surface between Anzac Highway and Edward St in Melrose Park.

A tunnel-free design is also being examined, which would be similar to the Torrens to Torrens build.

Mr Knoll is expected to be handed a final business case on the options soon, ahead of making a decision on the best one by the end of the year.” (2019)

(.... sorry didn’t know how to make bold!)
—————————————————————

FULL ARTICLE

The ledger for a David and Goliath battle of house acquisitions
Matt Smith, Political Editor, Sunday Mail (SA)

Tunnels could be legally built beneath people’s homes along the North-South Corridor, under new rules proposed by the State Government.

In a South Australian first, changes to the laws that underpin compulsory property acquisitions will refer to the land under homes and businesses, paving the way for the Government to complete the corridor with tunnels.

The move could potentially save hundreds of properties from the wrecking ball.

People would not be automatically compensated if tunnels went under their properties.

However, for the first time, the Government would pay homeowners a premium for acquiring their houses.

The Government has given its strongest indication yet that tunnels will be the favoured option to complete the state’s largest ever infrastructure project, stretching from the River Torrens to Darlington. The project is estimated to cost up to $5 billion.

“The Marshall Government is seriously contemplating tunnelling for the remaining section of the North-South Corridor and these legislative changes are necessary to make that happen,” Infrastructure Minister Stephan Knoll told the Sunday Mail.

The draft legislation also heralds a new carrot-and-stick approach to land acquisitions along the final stage of the North-South Corridor, where between 600 and 1000 properties may need to be demolished, including heritage-listed icons such as Thebarton Theatre. It includes “emotional dislocation” payments of up to $50,000, as well as up to $10,000, so homeowners can get a lawyer to argue their case against land acquisition.

Until now, governments have only had to pay a property’s market value to compulsory acquire it.

But the proposed laws contain measures that aim to fast-track the North-South Corridor project and reduce the chances of lengthy legal disputes with property owners.

The three solutions being examined by the State Government include one super tunnel, or a hybrid option of two tunnels that would mean traffic returning to the surface between Anzac Highway and Edward St in Melrose Park.

A tunnel-free design is also being examined, which would be similar to the Torrens to Torrens build.

Mr Knoll is expected to be handed a final business case on the options soon, ahead of making a decision on the best one by the end of the year.

“That’s why we have $5.4 billion on the table towards this project,” he said. “We want to ensure that if we go down the tunnelling route, we are ready to go.”

Mr Knoll said the new rules would even the ledger for those facing the prospect of losing their home.

“Sometimes it can be a bit of a David and Goliath situation, and the Marshall Government wants to better equip David throughout the negotiation process,” Mr Knoll said. “That’s why we are empowering land owners by providing them $10,000 to get legal and other professional advice, introducing solatium payments and compulsory settlement conferences.

“Compulsory land acquisition can be quite a stressful time on individuals, families and businesses, and it should not have to drag out any longer than necessary.”

Opposition infrastructure spokesman Tom Koutsantonis has previously called for intervention to stop the demolition of historic buildings in the road’s path. He also wants more funding from Prime Minister Scott Morrison to ensure as many buildings as possible are saved.[QUOTE}


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ChillyPhilly]

This government has been pretty clueless with all infrastructure decisions and ideas to date.

[claybro]

Good to see Tom Koutsantonis is still muddying the waters with the old "destruction of heritage properties" thing. Labor already had a concept for this route at the last election. It didn't involve miles of expensive tunnels, or destruction of actual heritage listed properties. If the Libs go with the tunnel option, it will be years in the legislation (under tunnelling of existing property rights), years in planning, and Labor will be back in anyway so the whole thing will be scrapped for Labors original proposal. Tom will then have to convince people the Thebby Theatre is not going to be demolished, after raking up the hysteria in the first place.

[Nort]

Didn’t Knoll say they’d have the answer to what general form the final stage would take by end of 2019?

Now we have to wait a further 12 months?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm thinking they are going to take a final plan to the next state election, and will say that it took ages due to Labor Mess.

If they win then it's worked out for them, if they lose then Labor is in the position of either having to enact the Liberal plan and they can claim some of the credit, or Labor goes back to the drawing board and look like they are dilly dallying.

[SBD]

This was one of their main election promises. They've been in power for 2 years touting how they're going to build a tunnel (or two separate tunnels) and they're only just now appointing geological experts? What have they been doing for the last 2 years?

I guess there are a number of stages. Design and geology work for the recently-completed Toowoomba Bypass went as far as digging a 2-meter-wide tunnel through the mountain (that was expected to become part of the westbound much bigger tunnel) before the eventual contractor won on the basis of a cutting rather than a tunnel.

There was someone on the radio this week talking about moving heritage buildings. He said his company could move the Thebarton Theatre out of the way, and larger similar buildings have been moved in the USA. He was originally talking about the Urrbrae Gatehouse which might be moved for an intersection upgrade.

[ChillyPhilly]

This was one of their main election promises. They've been in power for 2 years touting how they're going to build a tunnel (or two separate tunnels) and they're only just now appointing geological experts? What have they been doing for the last 2 years?

I guess there are a number of stages. Design and geology work for the recently-completed Toowoomba Bypass went as far as digging a 2-meter-wide tunnel through the mountain (that was expected to become part of the westbound much bigger tunnel) before the eventual contractor won on the basis of a cutting rather than a tunnel.

There was someone on the radio this week talking about moving heritage buildings. He said his company could move the Thebarton Theatre out of the way, and larger similar buildings have been moved in the USA. He was originally talking about the Urrbrae Gatehouse which might be moved for an intersection upgrade.

A short tunnel under Henley Beach Road (and Sir Donald Bradman Drive) is still the best option.

[SRW]

Good to see Tom Koutsantonis is still muddying the waters with the old "destruction of heritage properties" thing. Labor already had a concept for this route at the last election. It didn't involve miles of expensive tunnels, or destruction of actual heritage listed properties. If the Libs go with the tunnel option, it will be years in the legislation (under tunnelling of existing property rights), years in planning, and Labor will be back in anyway so the whole thing will be scrapped for Labors original proposal. Tom will then have to convince people the Thebby Theatre is not going to be demolished, after raking up the hysteria in the first place.

I'm curious why you're so committed to pushing this narrative? A couple things: First, as Vasco said, this is an old article (from September last year, I believe) so Koutsantonis isn't 'still' doing anything, let alone what you've singularly imagined. The opprobrium around the Thebby was caused by the Libs simply refusing to state the obvious: it won't be demo'd. Second, the legislation re: property rights and tunnels has already passed. So we're back to the current question of why the Libs are only now appointing geotechnical experts to study an option they were supposed to have announced by the end of last year, and which has putatively been favoured since Labor was in office.

[claybro]

Good to see Tom Koutsantonis is still muddying the waters with the old "destruction of heritage properties" thing. Labor already had a concept for this route at the last election. It didn't involve miles of expensive tunnels, or destruction of actual heritage listed properties. If the Libs go with the tunnel option, it will be years in the legislation (under tunnelling of existing property rights), years in planning, and Labor will be back in anyway so the whole thing will be scrapped for Labors original proposal. Tom will then have to convince people the Thebby Theatre is not going to be demolished, after raking up the hysteria in the first place.

I'm curious why you're so committed to pushing this narrative? A couple things: First, as Vasco said, this is an old article (from September last year, I believe) so Koutsantonis isn't 'still' doing anything, let alone what you've singularly imagined. The opprobrium around the Thebby was caused by the Libs simply refusing to state the obvious: it won't be demo'd. Second, the legislation re: property rights and tunnels has already passed. So we're back to the current question of why the Libs are only now appointing geotechnical experts to study an option they were supposed to have announced by the end of last year, and which has putatively been favoured since Labor was in office.

The storm in a teacup over Thebby Theatre was created by a local petition, gained traction on social media, and was supported by the local members. Yes Labor were right in it at the time, and continue to be. The Libs have not helped their cause by continually pfaffing around with their various unnessesary tunnel options which will only delay any further progress.

[SBD]

The headline of the article linked a page or so back is "Tender released for early works on final section of North-South Corridor" dated yesterday, , but the text of the story is really about the appointment of Susana Fueyo as Executive Director of the North-South Corridor Program Delivery Office. Fueyo comes from being Program Director at Major Road Projects Victoria, so should have relevant experience in how things are one in Victoria.

The government press release says that both things happened this week.

A small contract to do some geotechnical surveys probably serves to reduce the cost of risk built into contract prices of the main construction, or could discover something unexpected such as unstable earth or underground water that makes a significant difference to the costs of some methods.

I noticed that one of the reasins to prefer a cutting rather than tunnels for Toowoomba Bypass was the ability to use it for Dangerous Goods. I haven't noticed if such things are prevented from using the Heysen Tunnels...

[Norman]

All of the Lane Management Signs and Variable Message Signs on the southern portion of the Superway (where all roads are at gradient) have been removed for the R2P project. The stobie poles for the high voltage lines have also been moved further west to accommodate the widened road.

[croweater888]

Here it is:

https://www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/ou ... r-strategy

[ml69]

I read today that Sydney has nearly completed its 9km NorthConnex road tunnel (3+3 lanes) for a cost of $3 billion.

This tunnel connects its M2 Motorway to the M1 Motorway so that you can now drive from Melbourne to Newcastle without encountering traffic lights .... impressive.

We have secured funding for $5 billion to complete the N-S Motorway. I think ours will probably also have entry/exit portals at Cross Rd and possibly Anzac Hwy. Also the geology will be different to Sydney and our project probably won’t be completed for another 10 years. Surely we could do ours for $5 billion?

[Saltwater]

Posted below from Mandy Doolan, a local Real Estate agent and one of the leaders of the South Road Inner West action group, from the Facebook group on Friday:

James Franzon (of Hilton Hotel), and myself, attended a North South Corridor industry meeting with Stephen Knoll on the 19th of May. We would like to share the below notes with those who were unable to attend and to share an email received from our Mayor Michael Coxon (with his permission). Overall notes were a bit vague however a decision is expected to announced within the next six weeks.
The new project office has been established with specialist in tunnelling, Ms Susana Fueyo, whom we have requested a meeting with. The North South Corridor has been put out to tender and the options being considered are:

Option 1; Open motorway, which would require acquiring approximately 1,000 homes from one or both sides of South Road.
Option 2; Hybrid tunnel, which would require acquiring approximately 700 homes mostly in larger groups at the entry and exit ramps.

There have been studies done regarding contamination and heritage assessment however there are more yet to be completed.
We look forward to further investigation and updates and will share these with the group when available.

[Waewick]

Well at least it's sorta moving along.

Sent from my SM-A515F using Tapatalk