Central Melbourne tram routes are getting a major overhaul with three weeks of track works starting next week.
Victoria and Elizabeth street tram routes will be disrupted from 6 to 26 October during major maintenance works in Melbourne CBD.
Routes 19, 57 and 59 will see service changes from Monday 6 October to Sunday 26 October while crews replace tram tracks and expand platforms near the intersection of Victoria and Elizabeth streets.
Melbourne tram routes affected by works
- What: Tram track replacement and platform expansion works
- Where: Victoria and Elizabeth streets intersection, CBD
- When: Monday 6 October to Sunday 26 October
- Affected routes: Trams 19, 57 and 59
- Road closures: Victoria Street (Bouverie to Peel streets), Elizabeth Street (Therry to Queensberry streets)
- The Victoria and Elizabeth streets intersection will fully close during this time period
- Hours: 24-hour construction schedule
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A new east-west tram track connection is being built to link the Swanston Street corridor to the north-west via Victoria Street. This addition will help move trams between lines and depots more efficiently, giving the Melbourne tram network extra flexibility when it comes to managing services and routes across the city.
Accessibility is getting a boost too, with a new level-access tram stop being built on Victoria Street between O’Connell and Cobden streets. Passengers heading to Queen Victoria Market will find it easier to get there once the stop is finished. Parking changes between Peel and Elizabeth streets are also happening to make room for the new stop and keep traffic flowing.
Victoria Street will be completely closed from Bouverie Street to Peel Street during the works, while Elizabeth Street will be shut between Therry Street and Queensberry Street. Both the intersection of Elizabeth Street and Victoria Street will be fully closed for the duration, with detours in place for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers.
Crews will be working around the clock to get the upgrades done as quickly as possible. Further improvements are planned for the coming months, including new hook turns on Victoria Street at Howard, Chetwynd and Leveson streets to improve traffic flow in the area.
Yarra Trams is undertaking the works to keep Melbourne tram routes running safely and reliably for the millions of passengers using these routes each year, and says it will keep local businesses and residents in the loop throughout construction and work with them to maintain access and deliveries.
For more information, head here.
