Tunnel works begin on O-Bahn City Access Project

The $160 million South Australian O-Bahn City Access Project marked a major milestone at the weekend with works on the 650-metre tunnel set to commence.

Contractor McConnell Dowell has undertaken preparatory works on Dequetteville Terrace, south of the Hackney and Botanic Road intersection, ahead of construction works.

“Not only does this project represent a significant investment in building a stronger public transport network, it will also provide enormous benefits to the more than 79,000 road users who navigate this part of the Inner Ring Route,” said State Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan in a statement.

He said the project was also helping to stimulate the construction industry.

“About 450 South Australian jobs are being supported over the life of this project, providing work to locals in the construction, professional and technical services industries.

“The first stage of construction to create central priority bus lanes is well underway and with the start of the tunnel, the project is scheduled for completion in late 2017.

“Once complete, the O-Bahn City Access Project will deliver faster journeys, fewer delays and more reliable travel times for O-Bahn buses, particularly on the Inner Ring Route.”