- Published:
- Sunday 21 May 2017
Work on new tracks that will carry trams around the massive Domain construction site will ramp up next month as part of the Andrews Labor Government $11 billion Metro Tunnel Project.
Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan announced the start of major work on the new Toorak Road West tram route today, which will be used by Route 58 trams. This work will close lanes on and around St Kilda Road over the next two months.
St Kilda Road will reduce to two lanes in each direction between Domain Road and Toorak Road West over the first weekend of June, over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend and during the last week of June.
It will then reduce to one lane each way for 11 days from 1 July, with buses replacing trams to ensure passengers can still get where they need to go.
There will also be impacts on Toorak Road West, with the eastbound lane closed between St Kilda Rd and Park St for more than two weeks from 13 June, before this section of Toorak Road West closes completely over the weekend of 1-2 July.
During the school holidays, one eastbound lane will reopen but the westbound lane will remain closed while the new tracks and two stops are built.
Both lanes will reopen on 12 July when Domain Road closes for many years to build the new underground station at Domain.
The new stop on the corner of St Kilda Road and Toorak Road West will mean St Kilda Rd stays two lanes each way between Bowen Crescent and Toorak Road West after the tram works.
Early next year, this part of St Kilda Road will reduce to one lane in each direction and will stay that way for many years while the new underground station at Domain is built.
The new station will provide turn-up-and-go train services to the Shrine of Remembrance, Royal Botanic Gardens and one of Victoria’s biggest employment precincts on St Kilda Road.
Work on the Metro Tunnel is also now underway in Arden and in preparation for the new CBD stations under Swanston Street.
For more information, visit metrotunnel.vic.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan
"We’re getting on with the Metro Tunnel – to run more trains, more often right across Melbourne."
"This will have impacts on St Kilda Road, and I thank motorists and passengers for their patience while we get this vital work done."
"After four years of inaction under the former Liberal Government – who abandoned the Metro Tunnel – we’re not wasting a moment."