Adelaide tram lines to shut down as major six-month Glenelg line upgrade begins

Major disruption looms for Adelaide commuters as the entire tram network shuts down this weekend. See how your ride to work will be hit.

Work to raise trams off the road and over major Adelaide roads will begin from this weekend, with work on the restructure of Glenelg tram line also kicking off.

A full closure of the whole tram network will be in place on Saturday and Sunday, August 2-3 while the Glenelg tram line won’t reopen until late January 2026.

The closure comes as work starts on major projects to eliminate tram level crossings.

The notorious level crossing at Morphettville will be replaced with a tram overpass in a $200m joint-funded project to improve road safety.

Traffic at the intersection of Morphett Rd and Anzac Hwy before tram overpass. Picture: Supplied

The tram overpass at Morphett Rd near Anzac Hwy. Picture: Supplied

At the same time, the $400m project to remove the tram level crossing at Marion Rd and Cross Rd at Plympton will begin, as well as a $270m project to upgrade the existing South Rd tram overpass.

RAA safety and infrastructure senior manager Charles Mountain said tram users should pre-plan their routes to avoid delays.

“RAA is urging all Glenelg tram users to plan ahead, as trams will be disrupted while important upgrades are made over the next six months,” Mr Mountain said.

“The replacement bus services will help tram users reach their destination, but there will likely be longer than usual travel times with modified routes and increased traffic.

Tram level crossings will be removed and elevated onto overpasses.

He said the RAA had long advocated for a grade separation of the tram crossing at Marion Rd and Cross Rd and we welcomed the progress being made.

“Approximately 50,000 vehicles pass through the Marion Rd and Cross Rd level crossings each day and during the morning and afternoon peak periods, we also see around 30 trams passing through,” he said.

“Around 26,600 vehicles also pass through the Morphett Rd level crossing each day, with many motorists often experiencing congestion and variable travel times during peak morning and afternoon periods.

“RAA studies have found that traffic on Marion Rd had a red light due to trams or the Mike Turtur Bikeway about 30 per cent of the time during the morning peak (7am-9am) – or about 36 minutes of the two-hour period.

Major construction will be completed in late 2025 and tram services will recommence by the end of January 2026, in time for the return of school.

Services will remain operational between the Entertainment Centre and Botanic Gardens during construction while substitute buses will operate between Glenelg and South Tce.

Major roads to close, detours in place

From Saturday, August 2, the works will cause road closures and detours around Marion and Cross roads, Morphett Rd and South Rd with work crews will be operating during the day and night for up to three weeks.

Day works, with intermittent periods of night works, will continue throughout September 2025.

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport adviser temporary main road closure of Marion Rd, between Cross Rd and Turner Ave, will be in place at night only between Saturday until Friday, August 8.

Cross Rd, between Herbert St and just west of the tram crossing, will be closed at night only between Monday, August 11 and Wednesday, August 1, between 9pm and 5am.

South Rd, between Forest Ave and Eurilpa Ave will be closed from Friday, August 8 from 8pm to 5am until Monday, August 11.

Bus service arrangements

A combination of buses will operate throughout the closure period, with the services scheduled at the same frequency as current tram services.

Buses will run between 10–20 minutes during the day and night and increase to every five minutes during weekday peak periods.

Three substitute bus routes will operate during the closure:

GLN1, all-stopping service: Will operate seven days a week between Wigley Reserve, Glenelg and South Tce/Victoria Square via Anzac Hwy, Beckman St, Leader St and Goodwood Rd.

GLN2, limited-stopping service: Operates weekdays only, between Wigley Reserve, Glenelg and Victoria Square via Anzac Hwy and Grote St.

Will stop at 13 key substitute bus stops for a faster journey into the city, including the Central Market, Pirie St, Rundle Mall, and Stop Y2 Currie Street for access to RAH and Adelaide High School.

Operates Monday – Friday; Glenelg to City: 6:58am – 5:32pm, City to Glenelg: 7:29am – 6:03pm

GLN3, express service: Operates on weekdays only during morning and afternoon peak periods, between Wigley Reserve, Glenelg and Victoria Square via a direct route along Anzac Highway and Grote St.

Will stop at nine locations, including Central Market, Pirie St, Rundle Mall, and Stop Y2 Currie St. Glenelg to City, 7:03am – 7:53am, City to Glenelg: 4:27pm – 5:17pm.

Extra substitute buses will also be provided during peak periods and major events to help manage increased demand.

Originally published as Adelaide tram lines to shut down as major six-month Glenelg line upgrade begins