The South Australia Government has committed to a $50 million transport infrastructure investment
University students and staff will benefit from a major South Australia Government investment into public transport infrastructure.
More than 40,000 students and staff who study or work at University of Adelaide and UniSA will benefit from a $50 million commitment to extend the tram line to the East End.
The extension will provide a vital transport link between the universities’ east end campuses to UniSA’s City West campus and $230 million Health Innovation Building, and the University of Adelaide’s $246 million Health and Medical Sciences Building.
The 10-minute free shuttle service could transport more than 2000 people an hour between the city’s east and west ends.
The East End tram extension will operate as a shuttle service between the old Royal Adelaide Hospital and the Entertainment Centre every ten minutes.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan says the existing Glenelg tram is one of the most popular transport networks with more than 31000 people using the service every day on average.
“This includes our hugely popular free services between the Entertainment Centre and South Terrace, which make it easier to get around our city and make it more accessible, for city students and workers, tourists and in particular people with disabilities or accessibility issues,” he says.
Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis says expanding the tram network has the potential to attract investment, boost economic growth and encourage urban renewal and jobs, and bring residents and visitors to the city centre.
“We are eager to develop a new vision for North Terrace and this extension will go a long way to the reactivation of vacant buildings along the southern side of North Terrace,” he says.
The project will complement works to revitalise the Riverbank Precinct, including the redevelopment of the ORAH site.
This extension will also provide frequent and reliable links between the East End and the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, SAHMRI, Adelaide Railway Station, Adelaide Convention Centre and the new Festival Plaza.