A rebuild of Adelaide’s 1950’s tram network is the key feature in the State Government’s long-awaited draft transport plan.
The Integrated Transport and Land Use Plan, released today, will be subject to consultation.
Trams links include a city loop and lines down Prospect Road, Port Road, Unley Road, The Parade, Henley Beach Road and West Lakes Boulevard.
The Plan has a $36 billion price tag and 30 year time frame.
“It is about connecting businesses too, with their suppliers and with their markets, whether they are around the corner, across town or on the other side of the world,” the State Government’s statement said.
“It is a state plan with local, national and international reach.”
Submissions on the Plan close on Friday November 29, 2013.
The full plan can be seen here or you can view the now-compulsory part of all major projects – the fly-through (above).
The State Government said the Plan is the biggest since the MATS Plan – and if you’re younger than 60, that might be confusing.
In December 1964 the South Australian Government commissioned a two-year planning study on Adelaide’s transport needs. The study was designed and conducted by a firm of consultants from the US.
The ‘Metropolitan Adelaide Transportation Study’ (MATS) was released in August 1968 and recommended the construction of 100km of freeways, 33km of expressways, 55km of new arterial roads, the widening of 380km of existing arterial roads, a new bridge across the Port Adelaide River and 20 rail grade-separations.
The estimated cost of land acquisition and construction was $436.5 million (1968).
It also recommended the closure of the Grange Railway Line and a $32.8 million rail subway underneath King William Street. The Noarlunga Railway Line was to be deviated between Edwardstown and Goodwood to connect to the King William Street subway.
In the years ahead most components of the plan were jettisoned and it was finally consigned to its grave in 1983.
The surviving parts are the O-Bahn (comprehensively bagged as a far too expensive form of public transport by today’s Transport Minister Pat Conlon) and a one-way expressway to Noarlunga.
