Three kilometres of new track will be laid on the Flinders Link project this week.
The project will extend the Tonsley Line by 650 metres to the Flinders Medical Centre in southern Adelaide. The new line will be a single track and include two new stations, Flinders and Tonsley railway stations.
1,000 new concrete sleepers will be added between Alawoona Avenue, Tonsley and the new Flinders station.
Construction also involves elevated track over Sturt Road, Laffers Triangle and Main South Road.
Alongside the line is a shared pedestrian and cycle path.
Federal Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said the new rail line will help grow these suburbs.
“It will open up and reshape this entire area of Adelaide, for students, for health workers, for thousands of people,” he said.
South Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Corey Wingard said the project will connect key institutions.
“Once complete, this rail link will better connect residents in the southern suburbs with important services including the Flinders Hospital and Flinders University.”
55 jobs per year over the course of the project are expected to be created. Passenger services are planned to begin by the end of 2020.
Member for Boothby Nicolle Flint said the rail line would enable investment.
“The Flinders Link Rail line will also help the University unlock investment for their $1.5 billion Flinders Village redevelopment, as well as linking their main campus at Bedford Park to the new Tonsley Innovation Precinct.”