Adelaide’s North Tce tram works to cause traffic disruption during Big Bash, Tour Down Under

ADELAIDE’S busiest intersection will be shut down for two weeks during major events, including the Big Bash and TDU, due to tram extension works next year.

• New tram stops and extra funding to ease traffic problems announced for North Terrace extension

ADELAIDE’S busiest intersection will be shut down for two weeks during major events, including the Big Bash and Tour Down Under, due to tram extension works next year.

The installation of rail at King William St and North Tce will see the intersection closed between January 2-15, with buses to replace trams between Victoria Square and the Entertainment Centre.

Transport department spokesman Lachlan Roberts told Adelaide city councillors there was “a substantial amount of work” to do during the first two weeks of January.

“The traffic demand is substantially less around the CBD, we are looking at this particular point in time to shut that intersection down to allow that rail work to go in,” Mr Roberts said.

“We do have to replace the rail work back down to Station Rd as well ... to achieve compliant geometry.”

A Big Bash League game is already scheduled for Tuesday January 9, while the Tour Down Under begins on Saturday, January 13.

The King William St — North Tce intersection will be “cut out”, rail infrastructure installed and then concreted and then the overhead wiring reinstalled before the tram opens early next year.

The first stage of the tram works is currently underway and involves moving kerbs to widen the road by up to two metres, to make room for three new tram stops along North Tce.

Route map of Adelaide's expanded tram system.

The second stage of the project, scheduled between September 30 to October 16, will see traffic along North Tce restricted to one lane each way.

“It’s looking at a pretty intense two-week period during the school holidays,” Mr Roberts said.

The roadway will be excavated to concrete in the steel rails, install the bases for the new platforms, as well as install infrastructure that could see smartphone charging points installed in the future.

“There will be one lane on North Tce in each direction available for traffic,” Mr Roberts said.

“We’re primarily looking at a left in, left out arrangement at most of the intersections.

“We will try and keep Frome open for as long as possible.”

Multi-level car parking on the south side of North Tce will still be accessible for vehicles travelling west.

The third stage of the works between October 22 and November 5, will see an installation of rail along King William Rd, line marking and overhead works — some which will occur at night to minimise disruptions.

Businesses including Rundle Mall retailers have raised concerns about access to the CBD during the works and the potential impact to Christmas trading, while residents along North Tce are worried about “noise and vibration” during night works.

Bicycle Institute South Australia chair Fay Patterson said they also had not been consulted on project which saw North Tce — a six lane road — reduced to four with no room for designated bike lanes.

She said their biggest concern was the lack of facilities for the biggest population of bike riders, students — from the university, the new Adelaide Botanic High School and the North Tce as a key destination precinct.

But she was told that cyclists could just “use the footpath”.

“The footpath is a space for pedestrians and we don’t want to make them feel threatened,” she said.

“When you’re trying to encourage cyclists, it’s not a very forward thinking way.”

Transport department’s Jon Whelan told councillors on Tuesday night that North Tce was a council road, and therefore not its responsibility to install bike ways.

He said there was “more conducive bike paths” for cyclists to ride across the city than North Tce.

The tram extension is due for completion early next year.