Re: [Melb] airport rail link

[taliesin@chariot.net.au (Taliesin Walker)]

Has there been any consideration of light rail/trams in this project?

Tali

On Wed, 31 Jan 2001 05:22:48 +1100, "DL" <D_Lindstrom@Bigpond.com>
wrote:

>http://www.theage.com.au/news/2001/01/31/FFXQ9JCGKIC.html
>Labor MPs to push airport rail link
>
>By GABRIELLE COSTA
>Wednesday 31 January 2001
>
>Labor MPs from Melbourne's north-west will push the State Government to
>adopt a city-to-airport rail link route that will cost almost $450 million -
>twice that of another option.
>
>The government will tomorrow release a series of consultants' reports on the
>proposed link, a 1999 election commitment, and has called for public
>discussion on the proposals, which involve 130kmh trains going through
>Broadmeadows or Albion.
>
>The Albion option, which ALP sources said had the widespread support of
>Labor MPs and councils in the surrounding areas, would cost up to $448
>million, according to the reports.
>
>The Broadmeadows corridor, which would run through seven level crossings,
>could cost as little as $191 million, but as much as $285 million.
>
>According to the reports, the cost benefits on the Broadmeadows route are up
>to $3.59 for every dollar spent, but would adversely affect more residents
>than the Albion route. The same cost analysis shows an economic benefit of
>up to $2.34 for every dollar spent on the Albion route, for which there
>would be only 20-minute express services. Express or semi-express services
>would be available on the Broadmeadows line.
>
>The government will contribute $20 million to the project, which will create
>400 jobs during construction.
>
>The independent reports cover issues that include the environmental impact
>of the rail links, public support, economic impact, risk and safety,
>cultural heritage, noise and traffic engineering. They show that the
>proposal would be economically viable.
>
>Transport Minister Peter Batchelor said yesterday concerned residents and
>others should read the reports, and make submissions to an independent panel
>by March 16. This would make recommendations on the links to the State
>Government later this year.
>
>The government would then call for expressions of interest from the private
>sector. "We have no pre-determined outcome," Mr Batchelor said.
>
>Regardless of which route is chosen, construction is not expected to begin
>before 2003, and unlikely to be finished before 2006.
>
>Essendon Labor MP Judy Maddigan, whose electorate lies in the path of the
>Broadmeadows route, said yesterday her constituents would be disadvantaged
>if the Albion option was discarded.
>
>Six months ago, Pascoe Vale Labor MP and cabinet minister Christine Campbell
>told a public meeting that the Broadmeadows option failed on environmental,
>economic and social grounds, but yesterday would only encourage people to
>participate in the consultation process.
>
>Federal Labor MP for the seat of Wills, Kelvin Thomson, said there was
>insufficient community support to justify the Broadmeadows route, despite it
>being cheaper.
>
>The consultants' reports show that 61 per cent of Broadmeadows residents
>favored the concept of a fast rail link, but only 47 per cent supported a
>link that ran through their local area.
>
>In Albion, support for the concept stood at 79 per cent, and was 10
>percentage points lower when respondents were told it would run through
>their area.
>
>Opposition transport spokesman Geoff Leigh questioned why the government had
>commissioned reports on the issue that had already been considered by the
>previous government.
>
>
>
>--
>Regards,
>David Lindstrom
>
>