Big lift for tram line with the South Road bridge rising into place

Monday 20 October 2025

Another key link in the $870 million Tram Grade Separation Projects is being installed, with the bridge section of the new South Road Tram Overpass moved into place.

The 95-metre-long, 16-metre-high arch-span is the longest bridge span in South Australia, and weighs 1200 tonnes. It was constructed adjacent to South Road and will be manoeuvred into place using four Self-Propelled Modular Transporters, which are large, multi-wheeled heavy-load vehicles.

This 160-metre-long rebuilt section will form part of the 250-metre-long overpass, which also includes 12 beams- each around 30 metres long and weighing up to 60 tonnes.

Part of the overpass across South Road is being reconstructed to accommodate the Torrens to Darlington open-motorway, as part of the upgrade to the Glenelg tram line, a project jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian governments.

The installation works follows recent beam lifts at the other overpass sites over Cross, Marion, and Morphett Roads, and the removal of their associated level crossings and boom gates.

At Morphett Road, the new overpass, once fully installed, will be made up 34 beams which all up will reach 380 metres in length. Two beams making up a smaller bridge have also been installed over the Sturt River to accommodate tram access to the Glengowrie Tram Depot.

Across Marion and Cross Roads, the new overpass will comprise 52 beams. The bridge section itself is made up of 13 spans, each around 35 metres long, giving it a length of 460 metres. With the approach ramps included, the whole overpass reaches 730 metres.

The design for the overpasses includes the elevated Mike Turtur Bikeway shared path which will run on the overpasses.

The project remains on schedule with full tram services to resume for the start of the school year in 2026.

With tram services currently suspended between South Terrace and Moseley Square, construction is progressing while minimising disruption as much as possible for residents, businesses, and road and public transport users.

Closing the tram line has allowed work to occur simultaneously across all sites within the tram corridor.

During the temporary, partial line closure, substitute buses are operating between South Terrace and Moseley Square, linking with trams at the South Terrace stop and providing express and limited stop services between key CBD locations and Glenelg.

Collectively, the project is supporting more than a thousand jobs throughout construction.