The Flinders Link Project is set to kick into gear after receiving development approval.
The Morrison and Marshall Governments have announced joint funding of $125 million for the Tonsley rail line extension to create new connections to our health, innovation and education precincts.
Major works expected to begin within the coming months, with completion expected in mid-2020.
Flinders University Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling welcomed the awarding of the rail contract, which will see Flinders rail station built adjacent to the Flinders Hospitals and the University.
He says the $125 million investment will "yield many billions in benefits for the surrounding precinct – from health, education and research, to industry and community.
The much-anticipated Flinders link rail line will transform the precinct and create a new era in jobs and economic development in the south of Adelaide.
"A durable and efficient transport solution is critical to Flinders University's future growth," Professor Stirling says.
"Flinders has an ambition to expand teaching and research facilities, student accommodation and community amenity, and certainty around the rail development will help our planning to progress.
"The rail link enhances connectivity to Flinders University and will enable more students to conveniently access the wonderful learning opportunities available at our Bedford Park campus.
The rail extension may be just half a kilometre, but it has huge implications, effectively shrinking the 12 kilometre distance between Flinders and the CBD in terms of travel times and 'connectability', Professor Stirling says.
"It will also encourage further growth in international student numbers for whom convenient transport between the University and the CBD is a high priority.
"It is also excellent news for the for the Tonsley innovation precinct and will assist in integrating innovations ecosystems in South Australia.
"All of this means more jobs and more growth in Adelaide's south. We congratulate the Government for progressing this vital initiative," he says.
Gateway South, a joint venture between Fulton Hogan and Laing O'Rourke, will be awarded the major works contract with the project expected to support on average around 55 full-time equivalent jobs per year, over the life of the project.
The project includes:
- A 650-metre extension of the current Tonsley rail line, including an elevated single track over Sturt Road, Laffers Triangle and Main South Road, linking Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders University to the passenger rail network;
- Construction of a new Flinders Station and removal of the existing Tonsley Station; and,
- An integrated shared pedestrian/cycle path adjacent the rail line from the new ramp located at the corner of Sturt Road and Birch Crescent to the new Flinders Station.
The project's budget has been revised up to $125 million as through design progression the analysis of safety, functional and stakeholder requirements has altered the scope and form of several elements of the proposal.
The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, Stephan Knoll, says the Flinders Link Project will better connect our health, innovation and education precincts.
"The extension of the Tonsley line will better enable South Australians to access the Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders University through our public transport network," Mr Knoll says.
"The Marshall Government is continuing to invest in productive infrastructure to cut travel times, ease congestions and get people where they want to go faster."
