Glenelg trams are out of action amid Adelaide overpass work. Here's what to expect

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21 hours ago

Adelaide's Glenelg tramline has been closed to allow for major upgrade works, including construction of three new overpasses.
Two of those will remove the need for level crossings, reducing early morning commuting times, while a third will replace an existing overpass that is barely 15 years old.
The $870 million works — which will take up to six months — are being jointly funded by the state and federal governments, the transport minister says.
A local MP has advised commuters along the line to expect a "little bit of pain for a lot of gain" — but while some have welcomed long-term benefits, others have voiced concern about short-term business impact.
Here's a look at what to expect.
The new overpasses are being constructed at Plympton, Morphettville and Glandore.
The first of those will take trams over two main roads — Marion and Cross — while the second will go above Morphett Road, removing the need for level crossings at those locations.
The third bridge will replace the existing one above South Road.
According to the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, that overpass — which was reportedly completed just before the 2010 election at a cost of $30 million, and later suffered structural damage — needs to be replaced as part of the Torrens to Darlington project.
"Our grid network is failing," Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said.
"Anyone who's on Morphett Road, on Brighton Road, on South Road or Marion Road, and Cross Road, stuck at these intersections, or just on the North-South Corridor, is seeing traffic grind to a halt because we are the last capital city to operate on a grid network.
"We need to operate on a non-stop corridor network."
While works are carried out, speed and other traffic restrictions will be in effect.
Roads will be closed at various times, and "detours will also be implemented as necessary throughout the construction program", the department's website states.
The government said, when complete, the works would make the transport system run "a lot more smoothly".
It said that, at Marion Road and Cross Road, approximately 50,000 vehicles a day were delayed by boom gates that "impact traffic flow for up to 20 minutes each hour" during peak times.
"I can't honestly tell you that my community isn't just a bit sad about the fact we're going to be losing our trams for the next six months," said government MP Jayne Stinson.
"[But] there will be a little bit of pain for a lot of gain."
The tramline will be closed between Adelaide's CBD and Glenelg until late January, when services are expected to resume "in time for the return of school", the government said.
Over the next few months, trams will continue to operate between South Terrace, in the city, and the Entertainment Centre and Botanic Garden.
Substitute buses will operate along Anzac Highway and between Moseley Square at Glenelg and Victoria Square in the city.
The transport minister said the substitute timetable would "mirror" as closely as possible the tram schedule.
"Extra buses are being put into the fleet," he said.
"People who catch the tram who live along the corridor might not want to catch a bus but we're putting everything in place that we possibly can."
Mr Koutsantonis said the substitute service trips should not take "that much longer".
"But look — you're never going to beat a tram," he said.
"The reason fixed rail is so popular with people is that they don't have to be waiting at intersections."
Traders along Jetty Road at Glenelg are facing a double whammy: the line closure is overlapping with works along the major shopping strip.
"It brings customers, the tram, and closing a road down … just doesn't seem to make, really, sense," said local shop worker Arshia Ghayem.
"We could do, like, two months maybe but six months they said it's going to be for the tram, which is going to be pretty hectic, having that financial period of reduced customer travel."
Opposition MP Stephen Patterson, whose electorate includes Glenelg, said there was "real concern" among local businesses.
"The tram … is really a vital artery for economic activity here in Glenelg," he said.
"There absolutely needs to be financial support for these businesses — in terms of really marketing, and telling the wider community, that Jetty Road is open for business."
Mr Koutsantonis said traders had "been hit by a perfect storm", but said they would ultimately benefit.
"We're spending $870 million to make sure that that tram network can get people there faster, so in the end it'll be a very good outcome for the traders," he said.
Local business operator Melanie Tomblin is not preparing for a significant adverse impact.
"We have a lot of tourists that come down on the tram," she said.
"But Glenelg's fairly accessible. I feel like there are other ways to get down to Glenelg, it's just the tram is so iconic."