Trams will get rolling along North Tce within weeks — but when they start turning right?

THE tram extension along North Tce will be finished by the end of the month — and the new Transport Minister says a further expansion of the network to Adelaide Oval is a “no-brainer”.

THE tram extension along North Tce will be finished by the end of the month — and the new Transport Minister says a further expansion of the network to Adelaide Oval is a “no-brainer”.

Stephan Knoll says he is still discussing the proposed right-hand turn for trams travelling from King William St into North Tce, while a network expansion to North Adelaide is looking more likely.

The North Tce tram extension was originally earmarked for completion by the start of last month but is still ongoing despite the previous Labor State Government coughing up an extra $10 million to speed up the tram project.

On FIVEaa radio today, Mr Knoll said it would be completed soon.

“It’s still on track to be finished at the end of the month, which was the same time as the adjusted timeline,” he said.

Construction on the new tram lines near the corner of North Tce and King William St in January. Picture: Russell Millard/AAP

Mr Knoll did not have the final cost for just how much the project would end up costing — it was originally $50 million before $20 million was added to its cost for a new stop outside the Festival Plaza — and instead had a dig at his political opponents.

“We had a situation where the former government spent an extra $10 million to reach a political deadline,” he said. “We have been working with this adjusted timeline.”

The delay in the project has frustrated East End traders, who say it is compounding their woes following the Royal Adelaide Hospital relocation.

Mr Knoll said there were “exciting things” planned for the old RAH site by the end of the year.

No right turn ... for now at least. The Liberals have pledged to make trams turn right into North Tce from King William St but are still figuring out how it can be achieved. Picture: Russell Millard/AAP

Work is continuing on organising a right-hand turn into North Tce from King William St while extending the line to at least Adelaide Oval was a “no-brainer”.

“Work is underway with the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (on the right hand turn),” he said.

“I’ve had talks with the department on it. We’ve kept our mind open on extending it to North Adelaide ... but to get to Adelaide Oval seems like a no-brainer.”

Mr Knoll said an independent transport authority, outside of DPTI, would look at transport in South Australia as a whole.