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Adelaide Launches Road and Tram Upgrades to Cut Traffic Congestion
Local projects target congestion spots while creating longer stretches of uninterrupted travel for drivers and tram users.
How we reported this
Adelaide’s transport department is delivering a series of road and rail upgrades that remove level crossings and add continuous motorway sections across the metropolitan network.
These works come at a time when daily travel volumes are rising and residents need more reliable routes between the northern and southern suburbs. The upgrades focus on practical fixes that cut delays at busy intersections and tram crossings rather than broad network overhauls.
Targeted fixes in known trouble spots
Work on the River Torrens to Darlington project includes an $850 million package that will redesign a busy western suburbs intersection. Separate tram grade separation projects have already replaced level crossings with overpasses at Plympton, Morphettville and Glandore, adding open space and easier access to stops. Two interchanges on the South Eastern Freeway at Mount Barker and Verdun are also being rebuilt to improve entry and exit for growing communities in the Adelaide Hills.
The River Torrens to Darlington project is designed to deliver a continuous 78 km motorway link from Gawler to Old Noarlunga. The tram upgrades cover 870 m of new rail infrastructure at the three southern suburbs sites. These details appear on the Department for Infrastructure and Transport projects page.
Local approach versus global patterns
Many expanding cities overseas are also removing rail crossings and building longer motorway stretches, yet Adelaide’s program ties each project to immediate local needs such as safer tram stops and better access for Mount Barker commuters. The emphasis on partnerships with nearby businesses and creation of local jobs keeps spending inside the state rather than relying on imported solutions.
Residents can check current traffic conditions on the Traffic SA site or review project updates on the Department for Infrastructure and Transport pages before planning longer trips. The next stage of the western suburbs intersection work will be watched closely once detailed designs move into construction.