news, local-news,

A fast commuter railway could soon connect the major townships across the Fleurieu Peninsula and create a rapid link between the region and Adelaide. The proposed 200 kilometre per hour Encounter Fast Rail would incorporating parts of the existing Belair Line, the Overland Railway, the Southeastern Freeway and the Victor Harbor Railway. Aerospace and construction engineer Edwin Michell and economics professor Dr Richard Blandy proposed the railway after recongising South Australia was the only state in the country without passenger railway services to regional areas. In fact, there has been no such service beyond Belair in the Adelaide Hills since 1995, leaving roads as the only means of transport for commuters. Mr Michell said the project was in its pre-feasibility phase, awaiting approval for funding from the federal government. “The fast rail would utilise parts of existing railways as well as replace certain sections with new tracks,” he said. “We proposed re-using existing tracks to ensure construction is cheaper which should make the proposal more appealing to the government… usually developments like this are so expensive because they require all new tracks.” He said the railway would reopen all four stations along the line to give quick access between the townships and to Adelaide.

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