This morning, you may have noticed some news cameras and members of parliament gathered outside the depot. They were here to discuss and announce the extension of the tram overpass project, now set to cover Morphett Road in addition to the Marion Road and South Road overpasses. This significant project, with both the Australian and South Australian Governments each committing $100 million, will remove the tram level crossing at Morphett Road and replace it with a tram overpass, making Morphettville safer and more accessible.
This initiative is part of a broader collaboration between the two Labor Governments aimed at enhancing road and rail safety across the state. It follows a $400 million joint funding commitment to remove the tram level crossings at Marion Road and Cross Road in Plympton.
The Tram Grade Separation Projects (TGSP) will be managed by the newly-formed Tram Grade Separation Projects Alliance. This alliance includes McConnell Dowell, CPB Contractors, Arup, Mott MacDonald, and sub-Alliance partner Aurecon, in partnership with the South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport.
Additionally, the TGSP Alliance will rebuild the South Road Tram Overpass at Glandore to accommodate the River Torrens to Darlington (T2D) lowered motorway, as part of the $15.4 billion T2D project. These level crossing removal projects and the South Road tram overpass rebuild are expected to support approximately 1,115 full-time-equivalent jobs annually during the construction period.
As part of the TGSP, the intersections at Marion Road and Cross Road, Marion Road and Anzac Highway, and Morphett Road and Anzac Highway will also be upgraded. These upgrades will further enhance road safety across the network and ease traffic congestion.
To fast-track the project and minimise disruption to local residents, businesses, and commuters, all overpasses will be constructed simultaneously. Major construction is expected to commence in late 2024, with the level crossings set to be removed by the end of 2025.
To expedite the works and minimise the impact on local residents, businesses, and road and public transport users, the Glenelg tram line will be temporarily closed for approximately six months in the second half of 2025. During this period, overpasses will be constructed within the existing corridor. Trams will continue to operate between the Entertainment Centre and the city (to South Terrace) and between the Entertainment Centre and Botanic Gardens, with substitute buses in place between Glenelg and South Terrace.
For more details on this exciting development, please visit the South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport’s news page.
Thank you for your continued support. It’s an exciting time for Adelaide, and we are proud that Torrens Connect and our dedicated staff will play a crucial role in these improvements.
