Adelaide to Glenelg trams resume after $870m grade separation

Tram services between Adelaide’s city centre and Glenelg are back on the move.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Adelaide to Glenelg trams resume from 6:07am on Monday 26 January 2026 after six months of rapid construction under the $870 million Tram Grade Separation Projects, as outlined by the South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport.

Jointly funded by the Australian Government and the South Australian Government on a 50:50 basis, the program removed level crossings at three busy intersections.

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New overpasses have been built at Morphett Road and at Marion Road/Cross Road. Meanwhile, the existing South Road overpass has been rebuilt to integrate with the lowered motorway being delivered as part of the Torrens to Darlington project. Project background and updates are available via the official Tram Grade Separation Projects page.

Adelaide to Glenelg trams resume as crossings are removed

With testing and driver training completed, the return of the Glenelg line restores weekly access for about 40,000 tram commuters each week. At the same time, thousands of motorists are already enjoying uninterrupted, faster journeys via the underpasses.

Before the crossings were eliminated, boom gates could be down during peak hours for up to 20 minutes per hour. That affected approximately 50,000 vehicles each day at Marion Road and Cross Road, and approximately 25,600 per day at Morphett Road.

What the Tram Grade Separation Projects delivered?

During construction, the project supported 1,115 jobs. Since major works began in August 2025, crews poured more than 15,200 cubic metres of concrete, installed more than 3,000 tonnes of steel, laid over 6,300 tonnes of asphalt, lifted 92 Super T beams into place and installed 6,540 metres of new tram rail.

One part of the upgrade will open later. The new elevated Stop 6 at South Road will not open tomorrow while works continue to commission two lifts. These works will be completed and the stop will open in the coming weeks. Until then, shuttle busses will be deployed to transfer passengers to the next stop.

Intersection upgrades and Mike Turtur Bikeway works

As part of the program, the intersections of Marion Road and Cross Road, Marion Road and Anzac Highway, and Morphett Road and Anzac Highway are also being upgraded. These works will continue and, once complete later this year, are expected to further improve road safety across the network and ease traffic congestion.

The intersection package includes new dedicated and through lanes, improved lighting and drainage, fresh asphalt, upgraded kerbing and gutters, and new line marking, delivering safer and smoother journeys.

Construction of the elevated shared use paths along the Mike Turtur Bikeway is also progressing well and will open in stages during 2026. Existing pedestrian and cyclist detours will remain in place while works continue.

The broader Adelaide Metro service impacts tied to the same project have also been covered by Railway Supply. Final works on the new Glenelg line tram stops will continue after the return of service.

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