Friday, 3 February 2012
Construction for stage two of the Swanston Street redevelopment will begin this weekend in two locations, with major works scheduled between Flinders Street and Collins Street and between Bourke St and Lonsdale Street.
Major works to lower the tram tracks at these two locations will start in the early hours of Saturday 4 February and be complete by early morning of Monday 6 February. Lowering the tram tracks involves demolition of the existing tram reserve and establishing the foundations for two pairs of accessible tram stops. This work will involve saw cutting of concrete and rail and excavation and disposal of the road surface.
These works will be noisy and cause temporary disruption to tram services on Swanston Street over the weekend. Construction will happen around the clock in an attempt to contain major disruption to one weekend.
Once the old tracks have been removed, construction of the new tracks and accessible stops will begin.
The stage two project is part of a $25.6 million redevelopment of the city’s spine, to create inviting pedestrian meeting places and upgraded tram stops along Swanston Street. It includes accessible tram stops, between Flinders Lane and Collins Street and between Bourke Street and Little Bourke Street. A third accessible tram stop will commence in April/May between A’Beckett Street and Franklin Street. stage two construction follows an extensive consultation process to inform local residents and traders of the works.
Due to the redevelopment, taxis will no longer be permitted access to Swanston Street between Flinders Street and La Trobe Street. This restriction will commence at the same time as the commencement of stage two works. A similar restriction will be implemented at the commencement of works between A’Beckett Street and Franklin Street.
Only vehicles with an authorised vehicle permit (including taxis carrying people with disabilities) will still have access to the sections of Swanston Street that do not have tram stops, at non peak times.
Those looking to catch a taxi can visit one of the nearby taxi ranks at the following locations:
- Flinders Street Station
- Corner of Collins and Russell, Elizabeth and Bourke, Elizabeth and Collins streets
- Elizabeth and Little Lonsdale Street
- Flinders and Lonsdale streets (in the blocks between Swanston and Elizabeth streets)
- Little Collins and Bourke streets (in the blocks between Swanston and Russell streets)
The Nightrider Bus previously located at City Square will to continue to operate on Friday and Saturday nights and will be located outside St Paul’s Cathedral (except on the weekend of 3 February to 6 February, when it will operate from Collins Street). A new Nightrider stop will also be provided on the north side of Flinders Street, near St Paul’s Cathedral.
The completed Swanston Street redevelopment will include a new safety design for four tram stops, high-quality bluestone and white granite paving, attractive floral displays, new trees in select locations, public art, new street benches, upgraded café awnings and feature lighting.
The overall project will be complete in October 2012.
For further information on the Swanston Street redevelopment visit Swanston Street
For further information on tram replacement services, please go to www.yarratrams.com.au