O-Bahn Tunnel Project Marks Milestone With Start of Tunnel Works
The O-Bahn City Access Project will mark a major milestone this weekend, with contractor McConnell Dowell set to begin construction of the 650-metre tunnel.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan said preparatory works would begin on Dequetteville Terrace, just south of the Hackney and Botanic Road intersection, ahead of construction works.
“This event will mark a major step in the delivery of our $160 million election commitment to improve travel times and reliability for more than 31,000 people who use our most popular public transport service each weekday,” Mr Mullighan said.
“Not only does this project represent a significant investment in building a stronger public transport network, it will also provide enormous benefits to the more than 79,000 road users who navigate this part of the Inner Ring Route.”
Mr Mullighan said the project was also helping to stimulate the construction industry.
“About 450 South Australian jobs are being supported over the life of this project, providing work to locals in the construction, professional and technical services industries,” he said.
“The first stage of construction to create central priority bus lanes is well underway and with the start of the tunnel, the project is scheduled for completion in late 2017.
“Once complete, the O-Bahn City Access Project will deliver faster journeys, fewer delays and more reliable travel times for O-Bahn buses, particularly on the Inner Ring Route.”
For the safety of all road users, new traffic restrictions will be put in place for the tunnel works.
From Sunday April 10, all right-hand turns at the Botanic Road, Hackney Road, Dequetteville Terrace and North Terrace intersection will be restricted although emergency vehicles and buses will still be able to turn right from Hackney Road to Botanic Road.
Mr Mullighan urged road users to plan an alternative route using the real time data available at the Traffic SA website
Motorists are also encouraged to adjust travel times and consider other modes of transport.
Source: News Release, Government of South Australia, 02 April 2016