STATE BUDGET 2016/17: $50m AdeLINK tram extension to the East End
The city tramline will be extended along North Terrace to the East End, in a $50 million expansion delivering the first stage of the AdeLINK tram network.
The Adelaide City Council will contribute an additional $5 million to help fast-track the project,
by providing upgrades to the public realm and contributing to the planned East End tram stop.
The extension forms Stage One of EastLINK, with future stages planned through Kent Town to the Eastern suburbs. The extension also marks the first stage in the CityLINK loop around the CBD.
The Industry Participation Advocate will ensure as many local jobs and contractors as possible are utilised during construction of the one-kilometre extension to East Terrace, delivering maximum economic benefit to the State.
The extension will feature three new stops servicing the universities and future development
precinct at the Old Royal Adelaide Hospital site.
A Registration of Interest for tenders as part of this stage will be called this week, with early works expected to commence in the last quarter of 2016, subject to the necessary approvals.
The Government’s vision for the AdeLINK tram network has been endorsed as an Infrastructure Australia priority initiative following the State Government’s Integrated Transport and Land Use Plan identifying:
EastLink - through the city along the Parade turning north to Magill
WestLINK – following Henley Beach Road to Henley Square, with a branch line to
Adelaide Airport
ProspectLINK– following O’Connell Street to Prospect Road
UnleyLINK– following Unley Road and Belair Road to Mitcham
CityLINK– following a continuous loop around the city with transfers at other tram lines and the Adelaide Railway Station
PortLINK– using the existing Outer Harbor line corridor
A $4 million business case is already underway to identify precise routes and stops, as well as
environmental and land value benefits and project cost estimates.
Premier Jay Weatherill
The AdeLINK tram network is one of our State’s most exciting infrastructure projects. It will play a major role in further developing our modern, vibrant and liveable city.
Stage One of the EastLINK and CityLINK not only provides a new transport option for people
travelling to the city’s East End for work, study, shopping, sight-seeing or socialising, it will also
create an new east-to-west CBD transport link.
As we have seen with the development of the city’s western Riverbank Precinct, this extension
will also help to reactivate vacant sites, including key buildings along North Terrace.
Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis
From the Adelaide Oval, to the New RAH, SAHMRI and the Festival Plaza, the State Government is committed to building a vibrant, modern Adelaide with world-class services.
We are also committed to investing in public transport infrastructure to encourage more people to catch buses, trains and trams.
This funding is in addition to the $1.63 billion rail revitalisation, electrification and extension of the Noarlunga line to Seaford, the $160 million O-Bahn City Access Project, the $152.5 million electrification of the Gawler line to Salisbury, which will begin in 2017-18, and the $238 million Torrens Junction project.
AdeLINK is an ambitious project that will connect North, South, East and West, ease city congestion and reduce our carbon footprint.
This tram extension along North Terrace is also an investment in South Australian jobs – we will ensure as many local jobs and contractors as possible are utilised during the project.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan
This is a significant project which will complement the extensive works already undertaken to revitalise our Riverbank Precinct, while opening up opportunities for the future activation including at the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site.
The Adelaide City Council’s contribution has enabled the Government to fast-track this project, which will also support and contribute to the growing market demand for commercial and residential development in the CBD.
With a reliability rate of 99 per cent on average, Adelaide’s tram network is our most reliable public transport service.
Adelaide Lord Mayor Martin Haese
Expanding the city tram network has the potential to attract investment and encourage urban development, while bringing more residents and visitors to the city.
This financial commitment can help underwrite future development of the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site, support the East End and encourage activation on the southern side of North Terrace.
This project will connect some of North Terrace’s most prominent sites including the State Library and South Australian Museum, War Memorial and new Anzac Memorial Walk, the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia, and the Adelaide Botanic Garden.