Saturday, June 2, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Australia: Canberra: More Debate on Canberra Light Rail Cost - This TIme vs Adelaide Cost: from THE AGE
The South Australian government built a tram line into the heart of Adelaide for less than half the per-kilometre price the ACT government has proposed for light rail from Civic to northern Canberra.
A 2.8-kilometre tram line in Adelaide was completed in 2010 and cost $94 million, or about $33.5 million per kilometre, including work to widen a bridge.
The estimated costs are also double to triple the cost of other light-rail projects in other capital cities, including Sydney, according to a 2010 feasibility study for light rail in Stirling City in Western Australia.
The ACT government was under renewed pressure yesterday to explain why 13 kilometres of track from Civic to Gungahlin would cost up to $66 million per kilometre to build, according to its recent transport study.
The ACT Greens has called on the government to publish its study in full and demonstrate why the $700 million to $860 million price tag is allegedly four times a 2008 PricewaterhouseCoopers and Treasury estimate for the same project.
The Canberra Business Council has also said the government should publish detailed calculations for both light rail and bus rapid transit along the corridor.
But Environment and Sustainable Development Minister Simon Corbell said the costs were as detailed as possible for the project's early phases.
Canberra Business Council chief executive Chris Faulks said the 2008 study estimated 54 kilometres of light rail for the territory would cost just over $2 billion, but would bring an economic benefit of $5 billion.
Mr Corbell said the estimate was produced by engineering consultancy URS Australia, which used the Constitution Avenue upgrade, the Gold Coast Light Rail Project, and the Melbourne Hoddle Street Planning Study as benchmarks.
He said the estimate included a contingency of about 30 per cent because the project was only in its early stages.
''This project was built eight years ago and cost estimates were first produced in 1999,'' he said.
''In the last decade there have been significant price increases and it is not an up-to-date comparison.''
He said the $700 million to $860 million estimate for light rail to Gungahlin included dedicated track-bed and signalled crossovers, electrification, including substations, overhead wiring and support systems, slightly larger and more complex stops than rapid bus transit, a depot for stabling and maintenance, vehicles and planning and design costs.
Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/adelaide-tram-line-cost-half-act-plan-20120523-1z5rb.html#ixzz1vxt3clKV
Canberra Light Rail Proposal
Light rail cost not inflated: Corbell
Updated
A government commissioned report shows the estimate is about double what the cost of light rail is in other countries, and quoted the $350 million spent on a project in Oregon.
ACT Environment and Sustainable Development Minister Simon Corbell says the the Portland project was developed more than ten years ago when building costs were lower.
"I'd like to reject the assertions made by the Australasian Railway Association that suggested that the Portland rail project that was developed in 1999, was developed at a cost of only $350 million," Mr Corbell said.
"Over a decade of time has elapsed since that point, obviously prices have significantly increased since that point.
"That can be seen in the latest Portland light rail project which for 11km is costed at $1.5 billion US to develop, with that scheduled to start in the next one to two years."
Mr Corbell says the early costing estimates for the Gungahlin-Civic route are prudent and conservative.
"The project cost estimates were developed by URS Australia, a respected international engineering consultancy with experience in large scale projects," he said.
"The light rail costs have been benchmarked against a range of similar projects such as the Constitution Avenue upgrade, the Gold Coast light rail project and the Melbourne Hoddle Street planning study.
"There's also been reference made to work from the Australian construction handbook and also costing methodologies developed by the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, and Regional Development when it comes to best practice cost estimates for publicly funded road and rail projects."
Mr Corbell says costings are continually developed over time.
"We're at the early stage of this project, as a result the cost estimates - as the Government has always said - are estimates, subject to change as further investigations take place," he said.
Debate on new Sydney Light Rail Extension
Sydney tram on fast track - George St light rail by 2022
Sydney once had one of the largest tram networks in the world... discussion now centres on reintroducing light rail to CBD streets (it currently only operates on a converted freight rail line to the inner western suburbs).
Artist's impression ... Sydney City Council's vision for the light rail. Source: The Daily Telegraph
Myth Busting from the formally privately owned operator of Sydney's only currently operating light rail line - now owned by the State Government.
Sydney Aus. Light Rail Myth Busting
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
UK: Nottingham's new tram design unveiled
The design of the 22 new trams being built for the expanded Nottingham Express Transit network has been unveiled.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Paramatta council pr release on light rail
Paramatta council to fast-track vital light rail service
by: Vikki Campion From: The Daily Telegraph May 16, 2012 12:00AM
A BOLD plan for a $9.5 billion light rail network linking western Sydney's biggest cities will get a $1 million kickstart from Parramatta City Council today.
The move comes as planning experts meet to discuss Sydney's future at a major economic forum.
The light rail would span 105km and connect Liverpool, Parramatta, Rhodes, Macquarie Park and Bankstown.
Parramatta Lord Mayor Lorraine Wearne will front the Parramatta Economic Development Forum at Sydney Opera House and is expected to announce the $1 million feasibility study to start early next month.
"There's always plenty of talk about transport matters - congestion on Parramatta or Victoria roads or lack of efficiency and service on our public transport networks - but unfortunately there's not enough action," she said.
"We want to change this. This is a project that the council believes in and we feel will go a long way towards relieving congestion, providing strong regional connections across Western Sydney and will also integrate with existing transport infrastructure such as heavy rail."
The Parramatta Economic Development Forum - partnered by The Daily Telegraph's People's Plan - brings together some of the city's most influential leaders to discuss revolutionising the way the Sydney operates.
Among the major projects on the agenda are a second Sydney airport, Parramatta as a second CBD and the proposed light rail network.
Supported by politicians, academics and the people of Sydney, The Daily Telegraph's People's Plan is a new campaign to make the state government deliver the transport, infrastructure and services that Sydneysiders deserve.
Put together by some of the most innovative minds in the state, the blueprint for Sydney's future brings together lateral ideas to take our city forward by outlining projects that need immediate action.
Ms Wearne, one of the architects of the People's Plan, said the light rail proposal was a vital project that council was determined to get up and running.
A new development for the highest residential tower in Parramatta and 25,000sqm of commercial space, to replace the fallen Civic Place project, will also be put forward.
Western Sydney Region Of Council CEO Kerry Bartlett, who will also front the forum, said the west would be the prime generator of growth over the next two decades.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Gold Coast, QLD, Australia - Light Rail Project Currently Under Construction meeting continued protests from local businesses, concerned about disruption to their business during construction, and some residents (primarily older retirees) concerned about increased rates.
Official Page of Gold Coast Light Rail
Anti Light Rail Page
Official Page of Gold Coast Light Rail
Anti Light Rail Page
The Troubled Edinburgh UK Light Rail Project - now at least showing signs of moving forward. The Scotsman Report on Light Rail "proof-of-progress"
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