Extra express bus services have been added to the timetable for commuters traveling between Gawler and the city to provide increased frequency and reduce travel time.
From late April, two express services from Gawler to Adelaide will operate in the AM peak period while three express services will operate between Adelaide and Salisbury during the AM and PM peak travel periods.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Corey Wingard, said the additional services will be in place until the Gawler Rail Electrification Project, which is supporting around 535 jobs, is complete at the end of the year.
"Unfortunately this project has been impacted by a series of external issues that have put increased pressure on the team to get it done on time," Minister Wingard said.
"The line is still expected to be open by the end of the year because the project team and construction workers have done a tremendous job in face of the challenges presented by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
"Extended business and manufacturing closures across Victoria throughout 2020 along with border restrictions have complicated the delivery, as has the recent collapse of the project's steel supplier Structural SA.
"The department has recently engaged with alternative steel suppliers and has revised the closure schedule for the line.
"It's terrible that the people of the north have been forced to wait so long for an electrified train line but we are focused on getting it done and open as quickly as possible.
"We inherited a very poorly planned project because Labor signed the contract with only 5% design work complete which is just ludicrous.
"The department has made the decision that multiple temporary full line closures over a longer period of time would be disruptive and further delay the project.
"Instead the full closure will be extended for a shorter period of time to allow for works to get the job done.
"It is important to be up front with the community and provide more certainty and advanced notice around closures and completion.
"As well as failing to plan properly for this project, Labor also failed to purchase the electric trains to use on the line.
"Upon coming into government we realised how poorly planned this project was and although we started the procurement process for the new trains immediately, they're construction takes some time and the build has been impacted by COVID-19.
"That means, at this stage it is anticipated that two new electric trains will be ready to service the line by late November with a continued roll out of the other 10 to be complete by mid 2022."
Temporary closures will be in effect at the following times:
Full line closure of the Gawler Rail Line from:
*Last service Sunday, 25 April 2021, to November 2021.
Full line closures of the Outer Harbor / Grange Rail Line from:
*Last service Friday, 9 April 2021 to first service Sunday, 25 April 2021.
*Last service Friday, 9 July 2021 to first service Monday, 19 July 2021.
*Last service Friday, 24 September 2021 to first service Monday, 11 October 2021.
Temporary late night closures of the Belair Rail Line each night between:
*Friday, 10 April 2021 to Saturday, 24 April 2021, inclusive, from 9:00pm to first service, with the exception of one AFL match day on Sunday, 18 April 2021.
Temporary late night closures of the Seaford Rail Line between Adelaide Railway Station and Brighton / Flinders Stations each night between:
*Friday, 10 April 2021 to Saturday, 24 April 2021, inclusive, from 9:00 pm to first service, with the exception of one AFL match day on Sunday, 18 April 2021.
Additional concurrent weekend closures of the Seaford and Beliar Rail Lines will be required during the school holiday periods in July and September / October 2021, and a full network closure in October 2021.
Details of these closures will be advised closer to the dates, once detailed planning has been completed.
For more details and for assistance in planning their journey, passengers should visit: www.adelaidemetro.com.au
