Trams are officially back on the move along Adelaide’s Glenelg line, with testing now underway ahead of a full return to passenger services before the end of the month.
Test trams are currently running between South Terrace and Moseley Square, marking a major milestone for the $870 million Tram Grade Separation Projects jointly delivered by the Australian and South Australian governments. With new overpasses in place and tracks re-laid, the testing phase is focused on ensuring all infrastructure, signalling and systems are operating safely and reliably before commuters return.
Once testing is complete, driver training will begin to familiarise operators with the upgraded line, including new overpasses, signalling and tram stops, ahead of services resuming before school returns.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Emily Bourke said the start of testing is a significant step forward for the long-awaited project.
“The start of test trams is an exciting milestone for this project, and an important step forward toward trams returning for passenger services before school returns,” she said. “This is an $870 million project and the testing is an essential process to ensure every part of this upgraded line operates safely and reliably.”
To allow final preparations, the entire tram network will be closed on Saturday 17 January, and again on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 January 2026. During these closures, extensive substitute bus services will operate, with 381 buses running on Saturdays and 515 on the Friday to replace all tram services between Moseley Square, the Entertainment Centre and Botanic Gardens tram stops.
Additional bus services will also be in place to support major sporting events, including Adelaide United versus Melbourne Victory at Coopers Stadium and the Adelaide Strikers clash against Melbourne Renegades at Adelaide Oval.
The Glenelg line upgrades include two new overpasses — one over Morphett Road and another over Marion and Cross Roads — as well as a rebuilt South Road Tram Overpass to accommodate the lowered motorway for the River Torrens to Darlington Project. Three former level crossings have been removed, significantly reducing congestion during peak periods and improving traffic flow for tens of thousands of vehicles each day.
During the recent partial closure, buses have replaced trams between South Terrace and Moseley Square, with express and limited-stop services connecting Glenelg and the CBD. These arrangements will remain in place until the full tram line reopens.
Upgrades to surrounding intersections, including Marion Road and Cross Road, Marion Road and Anzac Highway, and Morphett Road and Anzac Highway, are also continuing, with works expected to wrap up later this year to further improve safety and ease congestion.
Member for Badcoe Jayne Stinson reminded locals that trams are now back in motion during the testing phase.
“A lot of us locals have got used to the trams being absent and we’ve been crossing without needing to look both ways first,” she said. “It’s important everyone knows to again watch out for trams — whether you’re on foot, on a bike, or driving across a level crossing. Trams are testing both day and night — so be alert!”
The Tram Grade Separation Projects have supported more than 1,115 full-time jobs during construction, with the return of services now firmly in sight.
