Drum roll: Trams back on track to Bay as sculptures appear in Brighton
Glenelg’s controversial Jetty Road overhaul is complete and now trams are making a long-awaited return. Meanwhile hundreds of sculptures have appeared at Brighton. Read more about what’s happening beachside.
Transport Minister Emily Bourke has announced tram services are restarting on Australia Day from the city to Glenelg after the $870 million Tram Grade Separation project shut down the line for the past six months.
The news comes after Holdfast Bay Council reopened Jetty Road in December along with on-street parking after overhauling the tired shopping street and expanding infrastructure to create more outdoor dining.
Controversy has dogged the double whammy of projects as traders claimed it was decimating business in the seaside strip that attracts up to a million visitors a year.
Council figures showed the area has more than 330 local businesses that contribute $366 million annually to South Australia’s economy.
Bourke said the entire tram network would be closed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday so driver training could continue with the first service at 6:09am from Stop 13 on Monday, January 26.
“We know there are many people that are counting down to be among the first back on the trams and the wait is almost over,” she said.
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“Set the alarm, it will be an early start if you want to jump on the first tram to travel over the new overpasses, leaving Glengowrie at 6:09am.”
During the full three-day tram network closure, substitute bus services will operate between Wigley Reserve and the Entertainment Centre and Botanic Gardens tram stops.
This includes 515 substitute bus services today, 381 on Saturday and 185 for Sunday.
The Glenelg tram line was part of an upgrade that included building two new overpasses – one over Morphett Road and another over Marion and Cross roads – and also rebuilding the South Road Tram Overpass to accommodate the River Torrens to Darlington Project open-motorway.
It involved removing three level crossings with boom gates that Bourke said were previously lowered during peak hours for up to 20 minutes per hour.
Bourke said the changes would improve traffic flow for around 50,000 vehicles each day at Marion Road and Cross Road, and around 25,600 per day at Morphettville Road.
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Meanwhile Brighton Esplanade will be closed to traffic for the Santos Tour Down Under cycling race on Saturday morning.
Road closures start at 5am on Saturday, January 24, until and 2.30pm impacting surrounding streets.
Brighton Jetty Sculptures
In Brighton, the state’s largest sculpture exhibition is officially underway – with more than 300 pieces of art on display along the Brighton Esplanade and in Bindarra Reserve, next to the Brighton Surf Life Saving Club.
The annual Brighton Jetty Sculptures event – now in its 18th year – runs over the next week until February 1 with many artworks for sale.
Winners of 20 awards for the event were announced at Brighton Surf Club this week with the outdoor winner “Re-emergence” by Sian Watson – a steel and concrete sculpture based on the spotted-tail Quoll.
The indoor winner was “Always Ready” by Ciara Forster, made of recycled cardboard and stitching and is a wire-haired Fox Terrier inspired by the dog walkers on Brighton Beach.
The Youth Artist award went to Kalan Murphy with his artwork “Recycled Rhythm”
