OT: Tram Extension

[Super Goalie]

Hi All,

I've documented over time via Photography the new tram extension and upgrade through its various stages. I thought I'd share some pictures with you all.

One of the new trams arriving into Vic Square off a truck:

The first tram to service the new platform and current terminus in Victoria Square:

And taken from on the platform in the fog:

During last week, an old H Type was re-trialled after it failed a month or so ago. Here it is seen on KW St near Hindley & Rundle Mall:

Here is the old H Type again taken from the Morphett St bridge:

And finally today, Flexity Tram 101 made the first daylight trip onto the new line:

What are your opinions of the new extension?

 

[Drummond]

What are your opinions of the new extension?

Love this pic! And the rest, but this one in particular.

As for the tram extension, I’m against it.

 

[Super Goalie]

Love this pic! And the rest, but this one in particular.

As for the tram extension, I’m against it.

Cheers. It was about 10 to 6 in the morning, and very effing cold!

 

[ShearMagic9]

So they're using the extension now?

Happened fairly quickly really. I remember being in town about 4 months ago and there was still a lot of work to be done.

 

[Super Goalie]

Just testing & driver training at the moment. Official opening is on the 14th with the first regular service on the 15th

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

The extension needs to go all the way to north adelaide, bit pointless as it is at the moment for mine.

 

[*PAF]

Top pics.
Just where does the extension finish?
Also there was talk of taking it up Port road, is that still going to go ahead at some stage?

 

[NSWCROW]

The extension needs to go all the way to north adelaide, bit pointless as it is at the moment for mine.

Why wouldn't it AT LEAST run down to the VIC RICHARDSON GATES ???

 

[Super Goalie]

The extension currently terminates out the front of the uni on North Tce, in the area known as "City West"

The new timetable is on the Adelaide Metro website

 

[-CG-]

I think its good for Adelaide and it should be extended more. They've done a good job, looks nice with the grass and plants.

 

[*PAF]

The extension currently terminates out the front of the uni on North Tce, in the area known as "City West"

The new timetable is on the Adelaide Metro website

Uni? As in Uni of SA?
Is that the old SA College?

 

[Pinepower]

Uni? As in Uni of SA?
Is that the old SA College?

Near West Tce . It stops about 500m from the new Marg apparently.

 

[Eggzoi]

Was driving in town yesterday, have they really completely blocked off an entire lane on King William st permanently? There's a big yellow like and it just looks like it shouldn't be driven on (of course that would completely ruin the point of trams) and there's no right hand turns across KW St.

Please tell me this is temporary or that traffic problems this will cause will make this a MUCH bigger waste of money than it already was.

 

[Gets!]

I am for it.

We have to do SOMETHING to make Adelaide more of a city.

 

[Smoooothy]

i am totally for it - but they need to extend it around the city and into north adelaide at the very minimum

i just hope this is the start of a major transportation upgrade, it is 20 years overdue!

 

[Mong]

Why wouldn't it AT LEAST run down to the VIC RICHARDSON GATES ???

Why? Adelaide Oval is rarey used. The tram would be empty 999 out of 1000 trips past north terrace.

 

[Mong]

Was driving in town yesterday, have they really completely blocked off an entire lane on King William st permanently? There's a big yellow like and it just looks like it shouldn't be driven on (of course that would completely ruin the point of trams) and there's no right hand turns across KW St.

Please tell me this is temporary or that traffic problems this will cause will make this a MUCH bigger waste of money than it already was.

You are right. The tram lanes are not for car traffic. Still, I don't think it's a big deal. King William traffic flows quite well I reckon. I use it fairly regularly at peak times and never find it a problem. And blocking right turns (which happened anyway during peak periods) was well over due as that was always the main hindrance to traffic flow on that street.

 

[relapse]

I am all for it, I would love to see it go down O'Connell Street that way it also services the W&CH. O'Connell Street would be nice and it would bring it to life if it was being serviced by the trams IMO.

 

[relapse]

Top pics.
Just where does the extension finish?
Also there was talk of taking it up Port road, is that still going to go ahead at some stage?

Still might happen, the new trams are compatible with rail lines which means that the trams can also use rail lines so its possible to do it. There are rumours of a football park link also where the trams will divert onto railway from the city and then divert to a light rail extension to service Footy Park.

 

[Mad Dog]

Top pics.
Just where does the extension finish?
Also there was talk of taking it up Port road, is that still going to go ahead at some stage?

yes - Route #119 from memory

 

[KUNG FU]

My 'contacts' have said that this was going to be only one of a much larger infrastructure upgrade in the CBD, including taking the tram down to North Adelaide, as well as creating two large tram loops that ran down North Tce and went both east and west, going back up to Victoria Square. However, Adelaide's inherent conservatism and resulting public outcry new has led to the government being extremely cautious about any new extensions. I think once it gets up and running and Adelaideans begin to appreciate the value of the tram, assuming the Rann stays in govt for a while, we might see this larger scale project pursued.

So anyway, I'm for it and pretty much any public transport extension in Adelaide. I just spent 10 days in Melbourne - the transport was good, I forgot about the horrid weather.

 

[Mad Dog]

light rail > heavy rail

 

[Smoooothy]

light rail > heavy rail

disagree

heavy rail > light rail if utilised properly, which it isn't

 

[rooboy]

yes - Route #119 from memory

Cruel. But just.

 

[Super Goalie]

You are right. The tram lanes are not for car traffic. Still, I don't think it's a big deal. King William traffic flows quite well I reckon. I use it fairly regularly at peak times and never find it a problem. And blocking right turns (which happened anyway during peak periods) was well over due as that was always the main hindrance to traffic flow on that street.

It's interesting because south of Vic Square, you can drive on the tracks, but north of Vic Squ and it's a no-no!