The Gawler Rail Electrification Project will now shut the rail line until November, with extra express bus services added for commuters from Gawler to the city and back.

A series of unfortunate events, mainly liked to COVID-19 trade disruption with Victoria, has led to planned rolling closures between April and October being scrapped and total line closure now running from April 25 to the end of November.

Many other flow-on restrictions will occur with commuters directed to http://www.adelaidemetro.com.au for full details.

There will be full line closures of the Outer Harbor/Grange Rail Line from last service Friday, April 9 to first service Sunday, April 25, last service Friday, July 9 to first service Monday, July 19 and last service Friday, September 24 to first service Monday, October 11.

There will be temporary late night closures of the Belair Rail Line each night between Friday, April 10 to Saturday, April 24, inclusive, from 9:00pm to first service, with

the exception of one AFL match day on Sunday, April 18.

There will be temporary late night closures of the Seaford Rail Line between Adelaide Railway Station and Brighton/Flinders Stations each night between Friday, April 10 to Saturday, April 24 inclusive, from 9:00pm to first service, with the exception of one AFL match day on Sunday, April 18.

Transport Minister Corey Wingard said from late April, two express service buses 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.

Mr Wingard, said the additional services will be in place until the project was completed on time, at the end of the year.

Gawler Rail Electrification Project will now shut the rail line until November.

“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,” he 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.”

Mr Wingard said the government inherited a “very poorly planned project” because the build contract had been signed with only 5 per cent of design work complete.

“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,’’ he said.

“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.”

Additional weekend closures of the Seaford and Belair lines will be required during