A Friday Note - 21 April 2017

Dear all

Blue skies and warm weather over Easter, but a wet and wintry burst to end the week.

SAFETY

It was pleasing to have a fatality-free Easter on South Australian roads. But two fatal crashes in the following days have given a sobering reminder that we must stay vigilant on the roads. What else can be done to reduce our road toll? Share your ideas.

As of midnight on Thursday, there had been 23 fatalities on SA roads this year.

TRAVEL TIME SIGNS

Anyone travelling back to Adelaide from the mid North or Yorke Peninsula over Easter would have noticed these signs, giving drivers real-time data to choose the quickest way home. These were completed and installed under extreme time pressures and ran smoothly.

Congratulations to everyone involved, especially James Cox, Tai Dinh, Phu Huynh, Neil Loveridge and Sage Automation.

MAJOR PROJECTS

Thanks also to those who worked through Easter on major projects. The Gawler train line re-opened this morning after major works for the Torrens Junction Project, with the Grange and Outer Harbor lines to re-open on Tuesday.

These important works have been undertaken at this time because there is traditionally lower train patronage and traffic on major roads. Work also continues on the Torrens Road to River Torrens Project, Darlington Upgrade and O’Bahn Extension. All will have a significant impact on the ease of travel through Adelaide.

JETTY ROAD

Our department has rescheduled important tram track replacement works on Jetty Road at Glenelg until after the school holidays and Mother’s Day, which is an important day for Jetty Road businesses.

After extensive discussions with council officers to determine the original start date, we took this decision following further consultation with local stakeholders, listening to feedback and working hard to get the best outcome for all involved.

RAIL R U OK?DAY

Yesterday our department again took part in the Rail R U OK?Day, an industry-wide initiative which aims to ultimately break down the stigma surrounding depression, anxiety and mental trauma among rail workers. 

PARKING

We’re asking that when returning pool vehicles to the car park staff reverse park them. Studies have shown that crashes within car parks can be reduced by 20 per cent simply by reversing in, rather than out. More here.

FLASHBACK

Thanks to DPTI Learning and Development Senior Consultant Jon Niehuus, who provided this week’s flashback photo. It is of the Adelaide Railway Station under construction in the 1920s.

Have a good weekend

Michael Deegan