ADELAIDE'S tram network would go back to the future - branching out to Magill, Port Adelaide, Henley and Mitcham - in a $36 billion State Government vision.

Premier Jay Weatherill has announced a 30-year transport and infrastructure plan for the state that also details plans for major upgrades of road and rail services.

The cornerstone of the plan is returning Adelaide's tram network to its former glory by installing six new networks sprawling out from a CBD loop, including an airport line.

The plan has been welcomed by motoring and construction groups as an important but overdue guide to where future investment and services will be targeted.

It has also been criticised by the Opposition as a "Bible" of already announced and dumped promises from a Government fast running out of money.

Mr Weatherill said Adelaide needed to add modern public transport services to its Riverbank upgrade to prevent young people leaving for interstate and lure others back.

"There is a war on. The war is for the great cities of the world to compete with one another for attention ... to attract and retain the best and brightest," he said.

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"Those young people that thought you had to leave South Australia can stay here."

In addition to tram upgrades, the plan includes a completed nonstop South Rd corridor, new ports, duplication of major country roads and extra cross-city buses.

The South Rd upgrade includes completion of both the Darlington Interchange and Torrens to Torrens projects, as well as the Northern Connector.

The AdeLINK tram would loop between Morphett, Sturt, Halifax and Frome streets. Major lines would run to Prospect, Port Adelaide, West Lakes, Henley and Mitcham.

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A spur route connecting the city to Adelaide Airport is also included. Interstate rail is to be moved from Keswick to the Adelaide Railway Station.

There are also plans to extend the O-Bahn underground between Hackney Rd and the city.

Electrification of the Grange and Gawler lines is promised, as well as a further extension of electric trains into Adelaide's growing southern suburbs, including Aldinga.

Upgrades to intersections on city ring route roads to limit congestion are flagged, as are duplications of the Victor Harbor to McLaren Vale and Mount Compass roads.

There are plans to seal the Strzelecki Track to aid freight and promote mining.

Deep sea port facilities on the Eyre and Yorke peninsulas with connections to road and rail services are listed. The Government also intends to upgrade regional airports.

Mr Weatherill played down suggestions that the $36 billion price tag was unrealistic.

He said it was estimated that $23 billion would be available for capital infrastructure spending over the next three decades, based on conservative estimates.

The Government expects to raise $7 billion from private investment but is ruling out the introduction of toll roads or privatisation of public transport networks. It expects to be able to leverage investment from mining and other regional industries.

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The remaining $6 billion gap in required public funding would need to be raised by an increase in spending from either future state or federal governments.

No new spending was pledged today, but the Government is not ruling out committing funding to any of the speculative projects before the March election.

The plan will be open for public consultation until November 29.

Indicative time frames show the city loop and Port Adelaide trams, the Gawler train line electrification and more bike lanes will be the most immediate priorities.

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An underground train link beneath the CBD that links northern and southern lines, and moving the Keswick interstate train terminal to the city, are "long-term" prospects.

Mr Weatherill said the state had a "beautiful tram network back in the 1950s" that was "sadly" torn up as cars gained popularity.

The transport plan comes as a companion to the 30-year Adelaide housing development plan released in 2010.

Opposition transport spokeswoman Vickie Chapman welcomed the release of a big-picture plan for future services, saying it had been demanded for a decade.

However, she said the plan was a "litany of re-announcements of projects that they have already been announced, funded and abandoned".

The Opposition has previously pledged to set up an independent advisory group after the election that would draw up a long-term infrastructure plan for the state.

THE PLAN AT A GLANCE

What's new

■ The return to trams as a major part of public transport more than 60 years after they were retired. Former premier Mike Rann talked about city loops and extending the western suburbs line, but this new network takes trams to most corners of the inner city. Adelaide lost its trams as cars gained prominence. Adelaide lost its extensive network as the car gained prominence and underused tram services fell into disrepair.

■ Running a section of the O-Bahn underground from Hackney Rd to the CBD. There have been various plans to bring the O-Bahn in that were mooted as part of federal stimulus spending before being dumped.

■ In the long term "potentially'' building an underground railway in the city. While subways have been speculated about before, there has not been a well-developed plan released.

What's not

■ Building a light rail service to West Lakes. When football was coaxed into the CBD and Adelaide Oval, a West Lakes tram was floated to service new homes that would be built on land near Football Park.

■ Electrification of all rail lines. This has been on the agenda for years and dumped depending on how much money is available. The Gawler electrification was put on ice in last year's Budget.

■ Completion of a nonstop north-south road corridor. Long talked about as a way to speed up personal travel and boost freight productivity. Work on the Anzac Hwy underpass, Superway and southern Expressway is or has happened. Much more work is still needed.

Positives

■ Industry and communities can invest based on a real and public plan. People can locate businesses or buy homes in places where transport is to be boosted.

■ The federal government has a menu of individual projects to pick out and work on with the state. It could mean things previously not on the radar for consideration are now assessed.

■ Land for future transport developments, including rail lines, can be quarantined, saving money on buybacks and demolition of homes.

Problems

■ The State Budget is already under pressure and $36 billion is a lot of money.

■ Even on Government forecasts of likely funds for infrastructure, there is a shortfall.

■ The plan needs $7 billion in private investment, and toll roads are ruled out.

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■ Hover over the icons on the map for highlights of the plan by geographic location

News_Module: Adelaide 30 year transport plan