A plan to extend Adelaide's city tram line east along North Terrace, past the old Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) and out to the city's eastern suburbs, has been unveiled but has no funding at this stage.

The South Australian Government detailed the proposal as part of its redevelopment vision for the hospital site.

Acting Premier John Rau said expressions of interest from developers would open on Tuesday.

"It is essential that the plans provide a significant number of opportunities for people to live and work on the site," he said.

"This unique site in Adelaide's CBD presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create an internationally acclaimed mixed-use precinct that is expected to generate estimated investment in excess of half a billion dollars in South Australia."

Brief history of Adelaide trams: Apart from a short-lived tram service in Sydney, from 1861-66, Adelaide was the first Australian city to have a permanent tram service

Apart from a short-lived tram service in Sydney, from 1861-66, Adelaide was the first Australian city to have a permanent tram service A horse tram system was developed by private companies

A horse tram system was developed by private companies By the early 20th century electric trams took over across Adelaide, with numerous routes between 1909 and 1958

By the early 20th century electric trams took over across Adelaide, with numerous routes between 1909 and 1958 City trams used North Terrace, Grenfell and Currie Streets, Wakefield and Grote Streets, West Terrace, King William Street, Hutt and Pulteney Streets

City trams used North Terrace, Grenfell and Currie Streets, Wakefield and Grote Streets, West Terrace, King William Street, Hutt and Pulteney Streets At its peak, the Adelaide tram network served 21 suburban routes

At its peak, the Adelaide tram network served 21 suburban routes Eastern suburbs served by trams included Magill, Morialta, Kensington Gardens, Erindale, Burnside and Linden Park

Eastern suburbs served by trams included Magill, Morialta, Kensington Gardens, Erindale, Burnside and Linden Park Only Glenelg had a tram service to and from the city after 1958

Only Glenelg had a tram service to and from the city after 1958 That tram line was extended further north through the city and out to Hindmarsh, and opened in early 2010.

The current hospital will be moved next year to a new site at the western end of North Terrace in the city.

For commuters, Mr Rau said the Government wanted to extend the existing tram line at North Terrace so it connected to East Terrace and to The Parade at Norwood and Magill.

A timeline of five to 15 years has been set for the transport project but there is no funding yet, Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan said.

"As soon as the funding becomes available we'd love to lock it into our budget and get delivering it," he said.

"We are the only party here in South Australia that talks about improving our public transport network."

Property Council executive director Daniel Gannon welcomed the transport vision.

"The extension of Adelaide's tram line along North Terrace and East Terrace, and eventually connecting to The Parade in Norwood, is good news for the north-eastern quarter of the CBD," he said.

"Of course there are many questions left to be answered with regard to funding and delivery, but without doubt this commitment will increase the attractiveness of the existing RAH site for potential investors."

Opposition transport spokesman Corey Wingard said the latest transport network promise may never eventuate.

"South Australians don't want to be duped. We look at the Gawler [rail electrification] project. That's been on again, off again for a number of years now," he said.