A PEDESTRIAN tunnel the state government plans to build under the railway line at Arncliffe to meet a key election promise could cost a staggering $17 million.
Roads Minister Duncan Gay revealed the cost estimate when announcing the government would ‘‘go it alone’’ on the project after losing patience with Rockdale Council.
The council this year rejected the tunnel plan and asked the government instead to widen the road underpass of the Allen Street rail bridge.
The $17million cost estimate is well beyond the $5million the government previously said it would spend and the $10million price tag in a consultant’s feasibility study ordered by the council.
Mr Gay’s spokeswoman said the cost estimate was ‘‘subject to further investigation’’.
The pedestrian tunnel was promised by Liberal MP John Flowers at the 2011 election and is believed to have been a big factor in his win.
However, six months out from the next election not a spade of dirt has been turned.
Mr Gay announced Transport for NSW would assume total control of the project at Al Zahra College, which has lobbied for many years for a safer rail crossing for students than the narrow footpath in the Allan Street road underpass.
He said the new underpass between Arncliffe Street and Wollongong Road would be close to the college, on the northern side of the rail bridge.
Work would start early next year, but he could not say when it would be finished.
‘‘I am sick of waiting,’’ he said. ‘‘It has been three years and we have got nowhere.
‘‘They [Rockdale Council] don’t seem to be able to make up their minds.
‘‘I am over the blame game and the procrastination.
‘‘This is a project that is long overdue.’’
Mr Gay dismissed council concerns about security and the ongoing costs of graffiti removal and other maintenance.
‘‘It will be light, it will be bright,’’ Mr Gay said.
‘‘If it’s open enough, and it’s not a long tunnel, we are not overly going to have to worry about security.
‘‘It’s just a matter of getting on with it.’’
Mr Gay also rejected the view the underpass should be on the southern side of the railway bridge, closer to the shopping strip.
‘‘It only works for the college on the northern side,’’ he said.
‘‘That stops students having to cross extra streets.’’
Mr Gay said the main concern was for the students and residents in the precinct, where there was a lot of new housing development.
John Flowers said the underpass would ‘‘meet the relevant lighting and safety standards, and the use of landscaping and seating are being considered”.
College principal Bruce Handley said having the underpass adjacent to the college ‘‘at the end of a dead end street’’ would be the safest option.
Students could be monitored using it and parents could drop off and pick up from a car park on the other side of the line.
Mr Handley said the new crossing would also be much better for Arncliffe residents walking to and from Wolli Creek railway station and Woolworths supermarket.
Muslim Care chief executive and the college’s former principal, Ahmad Mokachar, said he began writing to local politicians and ministers about the need for safe crossing in 1996 and the government deserved credit for doing something about it.
Do you agree with the government’s move and can the cost be justified?
