Stephan Knoll says new fault means trouble-plagued North Tce tram extension delayed again
A TROUBLE-PLAGUED extension of the tram along North Tce has been hit with a new delay, as the State Government flies experts in from Germany to examine a mystery fault.
- July 11: North Terrace tram extension to open on July 29
- July 6: North Terrace tram extension approaches completion date
- May 3: Trams will get rolling along North Tce within weeks
- June 20: Handrails being replaced amid electrocution concerns
A TROUBLE-PLAGUED extension of the tram along North Tce has been hit with a new delay, as the State Government flies experts in from Germany to examine a mystery fault.
Transport Minister Stephan Knoll on Monday announced that plans to open the new tram line to passengers on Sunday had been put on hold and would be delayed at least a week.
The Government is unable to say when the project will be complete.
Mr Knoll said driver testing had uncovered a signal fault, meaning electrical communication between the tram and track was not working as required. The primary cause was unknown.
He said experts from Germany were being brought to Adelaide to examine the problem, which was first detected last Tuesday as part of late night trials conducted by drivers.
Mr Knoll said the project, started by Labor, had been trouble-plagued from its inception and was far from completion when the new government took over at the March election.
“This is a very frustrating development,” he said. “The State Government would like to apologise for the inconvenience, uncertainty and delays this project has caused.
“Every effort is being made to fix this problem and get passenger services up and running.”
The project extends the current line east along North Tce to the old RAH site.
Mr Knoll said the Government remained committed to adding a right turn from King William St to North Tce, a project he said was separate from the current extension to the old RAH.
He said the cost of fixing the current fault would be carried by the private contractor.
Opposition transport spokesman Tom Koutsantonis said Mr Knoll’s “competence is now under serious question”.
He said Mr Knoll had missed four “self-imposed” deadlines on the project.
Earlier this month, Mr Knoll said the Sunday deadline was “set in stone”.