Temporary Seaford and Belair rail line closures for essential works

10 December 2015

The Belair and Seaford railway lines will temporarily close this holiday season to allow for essential maintenance upgrades.

Closures are being timed to coincide with quieter periods on the rail network and substitute buses will replace all services.

This upgrades will replace faulty electrical wiring which has failed twice on the Seaford line, once at Seaford in 2014 and again at Christies Beach in May this year.

Extensive investigations of the wire and manufacturing process have been undertaken, and instead of replacing the sections first thought to be affected, the decision has been made to replace the entire lengths provided by the manufacturer.

The project will be delivered at no cost to the taxpayer. The original contractor Laing O’Rourke will replace the wiring and carry out an associated communications campaign for passengers.

Laing O’Rourke Region Director Pat Cashin said disruptions to commuters would be minimised and crews would complete the replacement as quickly as possible.

"Laing O’Rourke can confirm we were supplied a faulty batch of catenary wire by one supplier, which we are dealing with through other processes," Mr Cashin said.

"However we stand by our delivery commitments and will work quickly and collaboratively with the department to replace the wire as quickly as possible and at no additional cost."

The Belair line closure has been timed to coincide with a shutdown of the parallel freight track operated by Australian Rail Track Corporation, which will ultimately mean fewer disruptions.

The Belair works include embankment stabilisation at Coromandel, and signal and communication cable testing and civil works at three level crossings in preparation for cable replacement.

This will deliver better train services and smoother rides, as well as contributing to bushfire prevention measures around the rail line.

The Belair line will be closed from midnight on Christmas Day until the first service on the 30th of December.

The full length of the Seaford line will be closed on December 27 and 28 after 8pm, followed by two full-day closures on January 2 and 3.

There will be a partial Seaford line closure between Brighton and Seaford from January 4 to 25, reopening on Australia Day.

Substitute buses will be operating for both lines.

Full details of the closures will be available at www.adelaidemetro.com.au