The consortium which will design and build the Seaford Rail Extension has been selected, clearing the way for major work to begin later this year.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese and State Transport Minister Patrick Conlon said the contract had been awarded to Thiess MacDow Joint Venture comprising Thiess and McConnell Dowell.

A key feature of the major development will be the construction of the 1.2km Onkaparinga Valley Bridge – which will be longer than the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. The bridge has a design life of 150 years.

The construction of the rail line and sleepers will consist of enough steel to build 30 Boeing 747s, while 11ha of vegetation will be planted along the corridor.

“The Gillard and Rann Labor governments are working together to deliver this important rail line and provide the residents of the City’s rapidly growing southern suburbs with access to new public transport services,” said Mr Albanese.

“What’s more, funding for this project was provided as part of our recession-busting, job-creating Economic Stimulus Plan, the very initiative the Federal Coalition voted against and have consistently opposed ever since.

“Only the Gillard Labor Government has a plan to move our cities forward, one which recognises the task of renewing and expanding their public transport infrastructure requires a partnership between all levels of government.”

As well as Adelaide, the Gillard Labor Government is investing in new urban passenger rail infrastructure projects in Melbourne, Perth and the Gold Coast, with all these projects currently on budget and on schedule.

Mr Conlon said major work on this unique project is on track and expected to start well before the end of the year.

“The Seaford Rail Extension will start taking shape soon and be quite a vision once complete,” said Mr Conlon.

“The first steps of major work will be the completion of the final design, major earthworks along the corridor and the start of construction of the bridge over the Onkaparinga Valley.

“South Australians can look forward to an exciting and eye-catching piece of infrastructure including a 20 metre high, 1.2 kilometre rail bridge over the picturesque Onkaparinga River.”

Construction of the Goldsmith Drive road bridge was completed August this year, allowing major construction of the extended railway line to be undertaken without disruption to traffic travelling above.

The $291 million extension of the rail line to Seaford will significantly improve public transport services to Adelaide’s rapidly growing southern suburbs and includes:

• A station and Park’n’Ride facilities at Seaford Meadows;


• A station, bus/train interchange and Park ‘n’ Ride facilities at Seaford;


• A 1.2 kilometre bridge over the Onkaparinga Valley and rail bridge over Old Honeypot Road;


• Three new road bridges over the track at Goldsmith Drive, Seaford Road and Lynton Terrace;


• New accesses and footbridges for cyclists and pedestrians;


• Landscaping and urban design features at selected locations.

Electric train services will begin operating on the Seaford Rail Extension in 2013, in line with the completion of electrification of the existing Noarlunga line.

For more information visit: www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/seaford.