Electrified Seaford line reopens

Adelaide’s first electric trains have begun passenger service on the Seaford line.

On February 23, the Seaford Line, formerly the Noarlunga line, reopened to passengers following a major programme of electrification works as part of the Rail Revitalisation project.

Twenty-two new three-car EMUs have now entered full revenue service on the line alongside the existing fleet of diesel trains.

The Noarlunga line closed at the start of January 2013 for electrification works while engineers constructed the double-track 5.7-kilometre extension to Seaford, which included buildings a new 1.2-kilometre rail bridge over the Onkaparinga Valley estuary.

As well as electrifying the line, the project has seen upgrades made to the signalling and communications systems, and the installation of a train protection system.

Speaking ahead of the opening, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis said: “Commuters of the south have been very patient with our once-in a-generation infrastructure build that will revolutionise the way people travel to and from the city.”

He added: “But their reward will be a world-class transport and road system.”
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