LeFevre Peninsula Transport Corridor project

Project overview

The LeFevre Peninsula Transport Corridor is an existing seven kilometre freight route on the LeFevre Peninsula which links South Australia's major port and rail terminals at Outer Harbor directly with the interstate mainline rail network to Perth, Sydney and Melbourne. Click the following link to view an aerial photo of the LeFevre Peninsula Transport Corridor.

The LeFevre Peninsula Transport Corridor project involves the upgrade of this rail line to ensure safe and efficient transport links from the Port River Expressway project to Outer Harbor.

The upgrade consists of:

• closing 11 of the existing 18 rail level crossings north of Stirling Street
• upgrading the remaining seven crossings to active level crossing protection standards
• upgrading the existing seven kilometres of rail track
• reinstating a second parallel track
• automating the corridor through the provision of rail signalling
• providing alternative access roads to existing industry as a result of rail level crossing closures
• constructing a 1500 metre rail crossing loop at Wingfield to provide storage for passing trains
• extending Pelican Point passing loop to 1500 metres
• landscaping along sections of the corridor

Benefits

Improved safety

Reducing the number of rail level crossings (road and rail interfaces) along the rail freight route will significantly improve safety for all transport users. The remaining seven rail level crossings will receive a safety improvement with the installation of automatic signals and boom gates.

Improved transport efficiency and access

Currently trains are permitted to travel up to 25 km/h because of the combination of the poor condition of the existing track, the frequency of rail level crossings and the potential conflicts with heavy vehicles.

An upgrade of the existing seven kilometres of rail track, including the installation of a second parallel track, will increase the speed along the rail corridor up to 60 km/h.

Improved amenity

Currently trains idle in the passing loop adjacent to Penrice to allow other trains to pass. The idling creates low frequency noise, which adversely impacts the residents living along Mersey and Elder Road.

The reinstatement of a second parallel rail track and automating the corridor will allow improved train scheduling and reduce the need for trains to idle in this passing loop.

An upgrade of the existing seven kilometres of rail track through replacing old ballast (foundation), removing joints in the rail and replacing old sleepers will also reduce rail noise and vibration currently generated by the rail track's poor condition.