Re: [Melb] airport rail link

["Daniel Bowen" <dbowen@custard.REMOVE.net.au>]

IIRC, there was consideration of it years ago. But with two possible
existing heavy rail alignments to piggyback off, light rail is unlikely to
be viable. You can't use nearby tram lines, because the trip needs to be
express (under 30 mins) to attract users.


Daniel
--
Daniel Bowen, Melbourne, Australia
dbowen@custard.REMOVE.net.au
Melbourne public transport FAQ http://www.custard.net.au/melbtrans/


"Taliesin Walker" <taliesin@chariot.net.au> wrote in message
3a77e692.2032997@news.chariot.net.au">news:3a77e692.2032997@news.chariot.net.au...
> 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
> >
> >
>