Coinciding with Federal Cabinet’s third visit to South Australia, the Rudd and Rann Labor governments have today released more details about the Gawler Rail Line upgrade.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese and South Australian Transport Minister Pat Conlon have confirmed that the modernisation of the Gawler Line will include multi-million dollar upgrades of the railway stations at Elizabeth and Munno Para.

“Since the announcement of funding just over seven months ago, the South Australian Government has made excellent progress readying this project for the start of major construction activities,” said Mr Albanese.

“Once completed in 2013, this nation building project will expand and improve Adelaide’s passenger rail network.”

The Gawler Rail Line upgrade was one of nine public transport projects funded in last year’s Federal budget.

Mr Conlon said the Elizabeth Station is one of the busiest on the Gawler Line and Munno Para services a number of rapidly growing suburbs, so upgrading them now is all about good long term planning.

“Essentially both stations will be rebuilt, with construction due to commence in the middle of this year. Work on the track itself is set to get underway even sooner,” said Mr Conlon.

“This is all part of our unprecedented plan to revitalise the public transport system over 10 years providing faster, cleaner and more efficient services for train, tram and bus commuters.”

The new Elizabeth Station is expected to cost around $15 million while around $10 million will be spent on Munno Para Station. Artist impressions of the refurbished stations are attached.

The upgrades will include weather resistant shelters, car park improvements, pedestrian overpasses with lifts, improved lighting, new passenger information systems, improved CCTVs, Kiss and Go facilities and better access to bus interchanges.

An expansion of the car parks at Gawler Station and Mawson Lakes interchange is also underway.