Tram services to Glenelg are officially back on track, with the network set to resume on Australia Day following the successful testing of the Albanese and SA Government’s $870 million Tram Grade Separation Projects.
After six months off the rails, the Glenelg line will welcome passengers again from early Monday morning, with the first service departing Stop 13 at Glengowrie at 6:09am. Over the coming days, tram driver training will continue to ensure operators are familiar with the new overpasses, updated signalling and rebuilt tram stops before full services resume.
To allow final preparations to be completed, the entire tram network will be closed today and tomorrow, as well as Sunday. During this three-day shutdown, substitute bus services will operate between Wigley Reserve and the Entertainment Centre and Botanic Gardens tram stops, with 515 substitute services running today, 381 on Saturday and 185 on Sunday.
The return of services marks the completion of major upgrades along the Glenelg line, delivered as part of the Tram Grade Separation Projects. The works included the construction of two new overpasses at Morphett Road and Marion and Cross Roads, along with the rebuild of the South Road Tram Overpass to accommodate the River Torrens to Darlington Project’s open-motorway design.
Crucially, the project removed three level crossings where boom gates were previously down for up to 20 minutes per hour during peak times. The change is already delivering improved traffic flow for around 50,000 vehicles each day at Marion Road and Cross Road, and approximately 25,600 vehicles per day at Morphettville Road, easing congestion for commuters while improving safety for tram users.
The $870 million project has been jointly funded by the Albanese and SA Governments and supported more than 1,115 full-time jobs throughout construction, delivering one of the most significant public transport upgrades in South Australia in recent years.
Emily Bourke said the countdown was nearly over for tram users eager to be among the first to ride the upgraded line. “We know there are many people that are counting down to be among the first back on the trams and the wait is almost over,” she said. “Set the alarm, it will be an early start if you want to jump on the first tram to travel over the new overpasses, leaving Glengowrie at 6:09am.”
Ms Bourke also acknowledged the scale of work completed in a relatively short timeframe, thanking those involved in bringing services back as quickly as possible. “I want to the thank the hundreds of people who have worked on this project to get the trams running again as soon as possible,” she said. “It’s been six months since services to Glenelg were paused and in that short space of time the project teams have removed three congested tram level crossings, built two new overpasses at Plympton and Morphettville and rebuilt the South Road overpass at Glandore.”
With testing complete and final preparations underway, the return of trams to Glenelg signals a major milestone for Adelaide’s public transport network, restoring a vital connection between the city and the coast just in time for one of the busiest days of the year.
