The Rudd Labor Government together with the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) have marked International Level Crossing Awareness Day by confirming the final set of boom gates to be funded in South Australia with stimulus money have been installed.
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said it was fitting that a day established to promote safety around level crossings has coincided with the completion of the Rudd Labor Government’s $150 million Boom Gates for Rail Crossings Program – an initiative funded in last year’s Economic Stimulus Plan.
“All up, we allocated $13.6 million to improve safety at 34 of the State’s high risk level crossings, with the one located on Barrier Highway, CUTANA the latest to receive advanced warning signs,” said Mr Albanese.
“Never before has there been a Federal program dedicated to improving safety and preventing accidents at level crossings. As well as improving the safety of the State’s local roads, our investment created jobs and supported businesses during last year’s global recession.
“Tragically about 100 accidents occur at level crossings every year.”
ARTC CEO David Marchant said safety at level crossings was of paramount concern.
“The completion of the roll-out of level crossing upgrades across the State has been an important step forward in increasing safety for pedestrians, motorists and train drivers at numerous sites around rural and regional South Australia,” said Mr Marchant.
“As we increase capacity and reliability on the rail corridors, so too we need to enhance safety which is what these upgrades in SA have been designed to achieve.”
The South Australian component of the Program has created 27 full time equivalent positions and injected some $1 million into the State’s regional communities. Once fully rolled out nationally, some 300 level crossings will have been made safer.
Boom Gates for Rail Crossings PROGRAM – South Australia, National projects (ARTC owns/operate rail line):
| PROJECT LOCATION | OLD SAFETY MEASURES | NEW SAFETY MEASURES |
|---|---|---|
| Gawler Road – Virginia | Active | Boom barrier upgrade |
| Hayman Road – Two Wells | Active | Boom barrier upgrade |
| Penfield Rd – Virginia | Active | Boom barrier upgrade |
| Ironstone Range Road – Petwood | Stop signs | Flashing Lights only & Seal Crossing Panel |
| Densley Road – Keith | Stop signs | Flashing Lights only |
| Cooke Plains-Darwin Roads – Cooke Plains | Stop signs | Flashing Lights only |
| Wirrega North Road – Wirrega | Stop signs | Flashing Lights only |
| Yumali Road – Yumali | Stop signs | Flashing Lights only |
| Lawrie Road – Long Plains | Stop signs | Flashing Lights only |
| Cameron Terrace – Mallala | Stop signs | Flashing Lights only |
| Magpie Drive – Tailem Bend | Stop signs | Lights and Boom Gates, Seal Crossing Panel & Escape Lane |
| Pirie Blocks Road – Port Pirie | Stop signs | Lights and Boom Gates |
| Korunye – Korunye | Active | Boom barrier upgrade |
| Gawler Road – Two Wells | Active | Boom barrier upgrade |
| Dublin – Mallala Road – Mallala | Active | Boom barrier upgrade |
| Gawler River Road – Two Wells | Active | Boom barrier upgrade |
| Stuart Highway – Hesso | Active | Active Advance Warning |
| Barrier Highway – Cutana | Active | Active Advance Warning |
| Narridy – Merriton Road – Merriton | Stop signs | Flashing Lights only (solar powered) & Seal Crossing Panel |
| Johnsons Road – Mallala | Stop signs | Flashing Lights only & Seal Crossing Panel |
| Point Lorne Road – Long Plains | Stop signs | Flashing Lights only & Seal Crossing Panel |
| Gumbowie – Yongala Rd – Yongala | Stop signs | Flashing Lights only & Seal Crossing Panel |
| Hill Road – Mallala | Stop signs | Flashing Lights only & Seal Crossing Panel |
| Westbrook Road – Tailem Bend | Stop signs | Flashing Lights only & Seal Crossing Panel |
| Erith Avon Rd, Erith | Stop signs | Flashing Lights only & Seal Crossing Panel |
| Hannah Well Road – Coomandook | Stop signs | Flashing Lights only |
| Leslie McIntyre Road – Bumbunga | Stop signs | Lights and Boom Gates & Road Alignment |
| Elizabeth Street – Two Wells | Stop signs | Lights and Boom Gates |
| Rifle Range Road – Bethany | Give Way signs | Flashing Lights only (solar powered) & Seal Crossing Panel |
| Magnolia Street – Tanunda | Stop signs | Flashing Lights only |
| Hobbs Street – Tanunda | Stop signs | Flashing Lights only |
| Jollytown Road – Lyndoch | Stop signs | Flashing Lights only |
| Krondorf Road – Tanunda | Stop signs | Flashing Lights only |
| Edith Street – Gawler | Stop signs | Lights and Boom Gates |