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for illustrative puposes only
Q.1. Why an overpass?
The South Road Upgrade - Glenelg Tram Overpass Project is being undertaken to remove the delays caused by the trams crossing South Road each day and the project represents another step towards the State Government vision for free flow traffic on South Road. It will complement the Anzac Highway Underpass project which will improve safety at this location for all road users. There are still many more steps that need to be taken to achieve this goal for a free flow South Road.
The decision to build an overpass at this location was made following consideration of the below factors:
Q.2. What will the overpass look like and how big will it be?
The department’s planning work determined the approach ramps need to be approximately 250 metres long i.e. two-thirds of the way to the next station, both east and west of South Road.
The height above South Road will be 5.5 metres to the underside of the bridge and about 8m to the platform level. The platform shelter will be about 3 metres high.
The tramline overpass over South Road will be high enough to accommodate different types of traffic, including large trucks to travel beneath it. Once a design is prepared, more details will be provided.
Q.3. How long will the project take to complete?
The project was announced in the 2007/08 budget as the next step in the State Government’s plan to turn South Road into a non-stop route from the Southern Expressway to the Port River Expressway.
Following the budget announcement, initial site and engineering investigations were undertaken and from late September 2007 to April 2008, some planning work was undertaken.
During October 2007 through to June 2008 community feedback will be sought on potential issues, suggestions and ideas for the tram overpass design. Initial feedback has been incorporated into the concept design and the project team is now seeking comment on this design.
A development application will be lodged with the Development Assessment Commission (DAC) in June 2008. This will result in a further consultation period being undertaken by the State Government with a wide range of stakeholders including state and local government agencies, key industry groups and the general public. Opportunities for further comment on the concept design will be widely advertised.
Following Government approval of the concept design, a tender for the detailed design and construction contract will be called in the second half of 2008, with construction of the Tram Overpass expected to be completed by the second half of 2009.
Q.4. Where will I catch the tram?
Information collected during a recent tram passenger survey was used in the planning work to examine the best location for a platform along the tram corridor. The survey showed the South Road stop is one of the busier stops along the tram line including having a significant number of tram passengers who arrive at the tram stop by bus. Based on this, a decision has been made to provide an elevated tram stop at South Road.
Q.5. What will happen to stop 6?
As stated above, an elevated platform will be provided at stop 6 to ensure that those who currently rely on this stop to commute to the city or the bay will have continued access to the tram at this location.
Q.6. Why is the platform elevated?
A detailed planning study was conducted to investigate the most appropriate location for the platform.
Key benefits of an elevated platform
Q.7. What will happen to stops 5 and 7?
There will be no changes to the existing stops 5 and 7.
Q.8. Are the trams travelling on the overpass going to be loud?
Noise mitigation measures such as noise walls and tram ‘dampening’ systems will be incorporated as part of this project. The new trams are significantly quieter than the older Heritage trams and this will reduce any impact on surrounding residential areas.
Further to this the project will see the removal of the flashing lights and 'bells' on South Road.
Q.9. What about air quality near the overpass?
It is not expected that the air quality will be adversely affected by the tram overpass. The new trams are unlikely to use their friction brakes when using the overpass, as most of their braking is via electro magnetic means. This means that the potential for increased brake dust in the air is very low.
It is also important to note that emissions into the air from road vehicles who have been required to stop and start at the tram crossing will now be significantly reduced as a result of the 'free flow' traffic conditions on South Road. This also has road safety and other environmental benefits.
Dust during construction will be managed with an Air Quality Management Plan which will be prepared as part of the environmental management requirements for the project.
Q.10. What is being done for pedestrians?
The State Government recognises the importance of catering for pedestrians along the tram corridor. It is planned that pedestrians will be able to safely cross South Road via lifts and stairs on either side of the new platform.
Q.11. What about disabled access to the platform and across South Road?
The department has a responsibility to make sure that all members of the community, including those with a disability, can access and easily use the pedestrian environment and the public transport service. The tram overpass project will provide equitable access for all in accordance with the provisions of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport prepared under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA).
Q.12. Why are you considering lifts?
All tram stops and paths that provide access to the tram stop are required to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA). A lift is one way of providing disability access to a tram stop located on the overpass structure. The planning study will consider all options for providing appropriate access to a tram stop and will assess how those options meet disability access requirements.
Q.13. Can a bicycle or a pram fit in the lift?
Yes.
Q.14. What are the dimensions of the lift?
The lift is being designed to cater for all users, including those with a disability. The exact dimensions of the lift are yet to be determined.
Q.15. Are the lifts 24 hours?
Yes.
Q.16. How will cyclists cross South Road?
The State Government recognises the importance of catering for cyclists travelling along streets adjacent to the tram corridor. Provisions will be made for cyclists crossing South Road via measures implemented as part of this project. Investigations are currently being conducted into how to best meet the needs of cyclists in the short and long term, whilst catering for the South Road traffic and the requirements of the local community. Various options are being considered and the community will be provided with further details when they are available.
Q.17. What about Tramway Park?
Tramway Park is a government initiative to create a new linear park along the length of the Adelaide-to-Glenelg tram corridor. This ten kilometre linear park will provide a formal ‘green’ corridor along the tram line between South Terrace in the City and Brighton Road at Glenelg.
The park will eventually run within the tram corridor on the southern side, so a five metre allocation of land is being retained for this purpose. Currently, Tramway Park is under construction near the Morphettville Race Course.
The Tramway Park will include an off-road recreation path for walking and cycling along the length of the corridor. This is similar to the Coast Park5 being developed along Adelaide’s foreshore. It will be rolled out progressively through a series of individual but connected projects undertaken by the five local councils along the tramline (source: Planning SA Website).
Tramway Park will be available for use by cyclists and pedestrians and therefore the shared path must meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). The grade of the overpass structure to be used by the trams does not meet DDA requirements and therefore a separate structure would need to be provided for Tramway Park.
Q.18. How wide is the overpass platform? Will it protect me from the elements?
The platform is anticipated to be approximately seven metres wide and will have a shelter and throw screens to help protect people from the elements.
Q.19. What about public safety around the platform?
Public safety will be an important consideration in the design of the project. Access to the platforms and other public spaces will need to be clearly controlled and well defined. The department recognises that all users need to feel safe and secure while using the facility and measures need to be put in place to deter vandalism and crime. These measures will be based on CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) principles, including provision of open sight lines, lighting, anti graffiti protective coatings, CCTV monitoring, passive surveillance, low level landscaping and urban design features.
Q.20. What will you do about graffiti?
The project aims to create an attractive, safe and well used public space which is less susceptible to graffiti. The planning work looked at creating good sightlines within and into the facility as well as use lighting and graffiti resistant materials to reduce the opportunity for graffiti vandalism.
Q.21. Will there be space under the bridge that could potentially be used for a recreational park or kiosk?
At this time, there are no plans to include any shop, kiosk or other facility under the bridge structure. However, as the design continues to develop, all opportunities to add value to the local community will be investigated.
The option for a recreational park has been looked at by the project team and is not being considered at this time. However, attractive landscaping and urban design features are already part of the overpass design.
Q.22. Will the space underneath the bridge encourage loitering and unfriendly behaviour?
The department recognises that the overpass will exist within an urban environment, surrounded by four local streets. On both sides of South Road, the project aims to create a ‘people friendly’ environment by putting measures in place to discourage loitering and all anti-social behaviours. These measures will be based on CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) principles, including provision of open sight lines, lighting, anti graffiti protective coatings, CCTV monitoring, passive surveillance, low level landscaping and urban design features.
Q.23. Will there be car parks under the bridge?
A dedicated formal car park will be provided on the western side of the overpass, underneath the structure. The number of car parks available at this location will be approximately 20. The aim of this car park is to reduce the number of non-residential cars parking in local side streets.
Q.24. What will be done about cars parking informally on the adjacent local streets?
The local council is the enforcement authority for parking in local streets and they are responsible for managing informal parking in these areas.
Q.25. Will I be able to see underneath the bridge?
It is envisaged there will be a completely open span of approximately 120 metres that will allow you to look through the bridge structure. The span will go over South Road and approximately 60m to the west and 30m to the east. The remaining sections of the structure will be enclosed.
Q.26. How will this project affect the local amenity?
Urban design principles have been developed to guide the design of the overpass and the overall appearance of the project. The aim is to improve the overall amenity of the local area wherever possible.
Q.27. Will local trees be removed and, if so, would they be replaced with native trees to encourage native wildlife?
The construction process will require some trees to be removed and others to be trimmed significantly. The department recognises the importance of trees to provide a buffer for adjacent residents, as part of the cultural heritage of the Black Forest area and as a habitat for native birds and animals. As with all infrastructure, a balance needs to be found between safety and the environment, however we realise that a comprehensive landscaping scheme must be an integral part of the project.
With this in mind, the project will incorporate attractive landscaping and urban design features in the overpass design. The department will ensure the overpass is not unsightly and is in sympathy with the amenity of the local area.
Q.28. Will people be able to see in my back yard?
The Government realises the importance of preserving amenity and privacy for local residents. It will be necessary to ensure the overpass provides a safe and secure location for local residents, the public and tram patrons. Measures such as safety barriers and throw screens will be provided.
Throw screens provided on the overpass structure will prevent objects being thrown from the overpass and, where appropriate, obscure vision into adjacent properties. The throw screen material is yet to be determined; however one option being considered is perforated steel as recently used on the Bakewell bridge underpass project. The preferred material will be turned into an urban design feature.
Q.28. How will storm water be managed?
The department will work with local councils to ensure that storm water run-off is captured and appropriately managed. The management of storm water is an important part of the design process and will be included in the final project scheme.
Q.29. What about energy efficiency?
It may be possible for the overpass at South Road to be fitted with solar panels, similar to the roof of every shelter constructed as part of the Tramline Extension in the City of Adelaide. These panels are all grid connected and are expected to generate an average of 7kW per day.
Q.30. Will the Black Forest pedestrian crossing be removed?
No - the department recognises that this crossing currently provides a safe facility for the Black Forest Primary School students and for all pedestrians who wish to cross South Road at that location. This crossing is outside the project scope and is not being considered as part of the project.
Q.31. What does the overpass project mean for access to my local street?
The project team is working closely with the local council to understand how the overpass would affect local traffic and opportunities for improving local traffic management.
The planning work has identified an opportunity to close Norman Terrace and provide a connector road under the overpass to link with Aroha Terrace. This would increase safety at the intersection of South Rd while still providing adequate access. The closure of Norman Terrace at South Road would allow a bus bay to be constructed closer to the overpass – allowing easy and direct access to the platform.
Glengyle Terrace and Nottingham Crescent are unlikely to be changed.
Q.32. With extra traffic flow on South Road, how is traffic going to get in and out of Forest Avenue and Aroha Tce / Norman Tce?
The project team is currently working with council to understand how the overpass may affect local traffic flow.
Q.33. With buses stopping adjacent to the bridge how will traffic entering South Road from Aroha Tce and Glengyle Tce gain a clear view of traffic approaching?
We are continuing to work closely with council to understand the impacts of the overpass on local traffic and this issue will be closely considered as the design is developed.
Q.34. Who will provide ongoing maintenance of the facility?
The project team is liaising with the Railway Authority (TransAdelaide), local councils and department’s asset managers to develop a comprehensive maintenance and management plan. Once this plan has been established, the community and tram patrons will be advised.
Q.35. How much will it cost?
The 2007/08 State Budget allocated $28 million towards the Glenelg Tram Overpass.
The department views this project as an opportunity to provide infrastructure of value to the community, public transport users, cyclists and pedestrians, in addition to it being the next step towards free flow traffic on South Road. We are currently working towards a design that considers community feedback, urban design principles, tram patron requirements, stakeholder needs and cost.
Q.36. How will construction affect me?
Every effort will be made to minimise any disturbance to local residents. At this stage preliminary knowledge of potential construction activities would require:
There will be no unplanned disruption to property accesses during the construction period. Once a construction plan has been developed, the project team will inform affected members of the local community.
Q.37. What about noise during construction?
All work will be undertaken in accordance with Environment Protection Authority requirements and every effort will be made to minimise any disturbance to local residents.
Q.38. How wide is the tramline corridor?
The tram corridor is 20 metres wide.
Q.39. Can I provide feedback?
Community feedback is important. It helps us deliver a successful project. With this in mind, members of the project team have to date door-knocked residents adjacent the tramline twice and letterboxed over 2,300 households with an introductory letter and survey. Two additions of the community update and a second survey have also been distributed to the project catchment area. All feedback received has been given to the planning team, who will use it to inform the final design.
There will be further opportunities for you to comment on the concept design when it is available. And if you have feedback about the project at any time, please contact the project team on 1800 733 954.
Anzac Hwy Underpass