$200M funding announced for Morphett Road tram overpass

The Federal and South Australian governments will each deliver $100 million to remove the tram level crossing at Morphett Road and replace it with a tram overpass.

The project will benefit the 25,600 motorists who drive through the level crossing daily, reducing lengthy delays, particularly during peak times when the boom gates are down for up to 16 minutes each hour.

It will also significantly improve road safety, with 106 crashes and 40 injuries occurring within the project area between 2019 and 2023.

The works at Morphett Road form part of South Australia’s Tram Grade Separation Projects (TGSP). As part of this program, three level crossing removals will be removed where the Glenelg tram line crosses Marion Road and Cross Road, Plympton and Morphett Road, Morphettville.

As part of the TGSP, the intersections at Marion Road and Cross Road, Marion Road and Anzac Highway, and Morphett Road and Anzac Highway will be also be upgraded, further improving road safety across the network and easing traffic congestion.

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The TGSP will be undertaken by the recently[1]appointed Tram Grade Separation Projects Alliance of McConnell Dowell, CPB Contractors, Arup, Mott MacDonald and sub-Alliance partner Aurecon, together with the South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport.

South Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Tom Koutsantonis said the project will deliver efficient, resilient and integrated traffic and transport solutions.

“These projects will make a huge difference to road users and the local communities, improving safety and reducing congestion, particularly during peak times,” he said.

“The projects will also provide an important boost to the South Australian economy, supporting approximately 1115 full-time-equivalent jobs per year over the construction period.”

Major construction is expected to start in late 2024, with the level crossings to be removed by the end of 2025.