North Terrace tram extension to Adelaide’s East End to open on July 29

THE long-awaited North Terrace tram extension will open on July 29, with the Government vowing a review of the budget.

THE long-awaited North Terrace tram extension will open on July 29, as Transport Minister Stephan Knoll vowed warts-and-all review of the project, claiming the previous government made “$10 million disappear”.

It has been a project that has been repetitively delayed and over-budget, but Mr Knoll said finally commuters could catch a tram down the North Tce extension by the end of this month.

“On July 29, passenger services will begin, this brings to a close quite a difficult Labor mess that we have been dealing with since coming to government,” he said.

Slated for an end-of-2017 finish, the tram extension missed that and other deadlines.

It will cost at least $80 million, the final contribution being a $10 million contribution by the then-Labor Government in July last year to speed up work.

Construction of the tram stop on North Terrace in front of the old RAH, towards East Terrace. Picture: Tom Huntley

Mr Knoll said that $10 million would be subject to a review that would leave “no stone unturned”.

“I think all South Australians would be frustrated with the time it has taken to get up and running,” he said.

“Once this project is complete we will be going through a review process.

“We are very keen to find out how Labor made $10 million disappear, we are very keen to find out why this project that we were told was very close to completion when we came to the election was nowhere near being completed.”

The North Terrace tram stop will be complete and open on July 29. Picture: AAP/Emma Brasier

Labor transport and infrastructure spokesman Tom Koutsantonis said it was Mr Knoll who had needed to provide answers.

“Stephan Knoll needs to explain why he has so far missed three self-imposed deadlines to complete this project,” he said.

“Mr Knoll had access to all relevant information about the project’s status when he set these deadlines.”

Driver training starts on Monday after the latest fault with the project was discovered and fixed during the testing phase.

New metal handrails at tram platforms were installed after it was revealed they had not been properly earthed and the electric current could jump between them and a tram.

Mr Knoll said once finished the focus would be to integrate the Liberals’ $37 million right-hand turn from King William St into the new tram line.

He also said the extension would run down to Festival Plaza on Adelaide Oval gamedays and “when crowds warrant it”.

It will take six minutes to travel on the new line to the Botanic Garden from Adelaide train station and 10 minutes from the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Maximum waits will be 10 minutes from 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 20 minutes from 6am to 7am and 7pm to 11.30pm.

It will be the same on weekends and on Adelaide Oval gamedays.