Members of the Gawler Rail Line Electrification Project team spoke to community members at an information session last Tuesday night. PHOTO: Brendan Simpkins
Brendan Simpkins
ABOUT 15 members of the public attended a community meeting on the King Street Bridge designs at the Gawler Sport and Community Centre last Tuesday night.
Nine staff from the Gawler Rail Electrification Project team were on hand to present the updated designs and detail the history of the project up until this point.
It followed on from two drop-in sessions that were at the Gawler Central Shopping Centre late last month.
Questions from the community ranged from lowering the track in order to keep the bridge open to road traffic, potential structural damage to nearby houses during construction and whether Bridge Street North would remain two-way to traffic or reduced to one-way.
The audience were told that the lowering of the track could have been possible, however, it was deemed the impact to the level crossings east and west of the bridge, as well as the existing Gawler Central station, would have been too great.
Possible future extensions of the Gawler Line to Concordia have also been kept in mind during the design phase.
The bridge would allow for the duplication of the line without the need for it to be removed.
On the topic of Bridge Street North, the audience were told that it would remain open to two-way traffic up until the end of the carpark where it would then become one-way onto King Street.
A traffic impact assessment will also be undertaken.
The community can still have input on the colour of the bridge screens and the painted steel structure, as well as the type of paving used.
Discussions have already taken place between the team and Gawler Council’s heritage advisor for input on colour schemes that would fit in with the historical feel of the area.
Findings from the community engagement sessions will be presented to elected members at a meeting to take place later this month.
Spanish infrastructure company Acciona is undertaking the work, after it acquired construction company Lendlease in December 2019, on behalf of the State Government.
Feedback on the designs will close on Friday, November 13.
Work is expected to start on the King Street Bridge in early 2021.
