Adelaide's 20-Year Plan Upgrades Trams, Rail, Motorways Starting 2026

The Malinauskas Labor Government adopted Infrastructure SA's 20-year State Infrastructure Strategy (2025). The plan unlocks $25.6 billion in investment over four years, with $10.3 billion allocated to transport and $4.72 billion to social infrastructure. Residents across Adelaide and surrounding areas stand to see effects on daily travel and access to services as projects advance.

Transport project timelines

The T2D Project aims to deliver 78 km of non-stop motorway between Gawler and Old Noarlunga through removal of traffic lights. Commuters on this corridor could experience altered travel patterns once sections open. In 2026 new tram overpasses and accessible stops are scheduled to replace congested tram level crossings, with the stated goal of improving safety and reliability for tram users in the city.

The Adelaide Public Transport Improvements proposal includes electrification of the Outer Harbor and Belair rail lines. It also plans extension of rapid transit to growth areas in the north, northwest and south. These steps align with the Infrastructure Policy Statement and target existing rail corridors used by residents in those suburbs.

Planning changes for neighbourhoods

An updated 30 Year Plan for Greater Adelaide prioritises walkable urban form in the CBD. It encourages four-to-six storey developments along key transport corridors and the proposed AdeLINK tram network. Residents near these corridors may see changes to building heights and street layouts over time.

The strategy sets out investment across multiple years without detailing exact completion dates for every element. The government states the overall approach will support growth in housing and services. Local impacts will depend on the pace of individual project approvals and construction sequences listed in the supporting documents.