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                    Footpath improvement program 2023-2024

                    We’re upgrading key footpaths across the city as part of our Major Streetscape Improvements Works program for 2023-24

                    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The City of Melbourne are continuing to improve the experience of footpaths for people in some of the city’s busiest walking areas by undertaking footpath renewals and upgrades across the central city as part of its Major Streetscape Improvements Works program 2023–2024. 

                    These works build off the ex​tensive 2022-23 Footpath Blitz program and wider streetscape improvement program whic​​h saw over 62,000m2 of upgrades to footpaths and kerbsides across the municipality.

                    This year’s Major Streetscape Improvement program will focus on some of the city’s most visited areas, including Bourke Street, Russell Street and Exhibition Street. 

                    Works will occur ​throughout the CBD and will involve demolishing existing run-down asphalt footpaths and replacing them with iconic bluestone pavers. In some locations, bluestone kerb and channel works, tree plot enhancements and crossing upgrades will be undertaken. 

                    Works​ are anticipated to be fully complete by July 2024.​

                    Acc​essibility and impacts of works: ​

                    • ​During works, pedestrian, vehicle and bicycle access will be restricted for short periods (including temporary diversions), however, access to residential properties and businesses will be maintained at all times.  

                    • Traffic management will be in place to guide footpath, road, and bike lane users throughout the works.  

                    • You may notice an increase in construction vehicles and workers in the area when we’re working. For your safety, please observe any signs and instructions in place during this project.

                    • Components of the works such as demolition and construction of footpath will involve some noise.​​​​


                    ​Proposed works and works underway​​

                    Lygon Street (Lygon Court extended outdoor dining area)

                    ​Works in this section are anticipated to begin mid-February 2024 and will take approximately two weeks to complete. Local residents and businesses will receive communication from Citywide before works begin.  

                    We will remove the existing asphalt footpath, construct new bluestone paving and complete associated civil works.


                    Exhibition Street (east side, Bourke to Little Bourke)

                    Works in this section are now complete.

                    Works include demolishing the existing asphalt footpath, installing bluestone pavers and upgrading tree plots. 

                    Exhibition Street (west side, Bourke to Little Bourke)

                    Works in this section are now complete.

                    Works include demolishing the existing asphalt footpath and installing bluestone pavers, upgrading tree plots and reconstructing the asphalt crossing. 

                    Russell Street (west side, La Trobe to Victoria)

                    Works in this section are now complete.

                    ​Works in this section include replacing the existing asphalt footpath with bluestone pavers, installing new tree plots and upgrading existing tree plots, reconstructing vehicle crossings and the pedestrian access ramp, installing warning and directional TGSI’s, completing kerb and channel upgrades and installing street furniture.  

                    Bourke Street (north side, Elizabeth to Queen)

                    Works in this section are now complete.

                    Works include demolishing the existing asphalt footpath, installing bluestone pavers, upgrading tree plots, reconstructing the asphalt crossing, installing a bluestone access ramp and completing kerb and channel upgrades. 


                    Flinders Street (north side, Spencer to King)

                    Works in this section are now complete.

                    Works include replacing the existing asphalt footpath with bluestone pavers, upgrading access ramps, resheeting the roadway, reconstructing tree plots and completing kerb and channel works.


                    Merchant Street (east and west side, Collins to Bourke)

                    Works in this section are now complete.

                    ​Works include road resurfacing, replacing bluestone and concrete pavers, reconstructing asphalt footpaths in bluestone, reconstructing vehicle crossings and pedestrian access ramps, enlarging tree plots, kerb and channel works and installation of street furniture and tactile ground surface indicators.​

                    Merchant Street Collins Street to Bourke Street (PDF 417KB)


                    Bourke Street (south side, Elizabeth to McKillop)

                    Works in this section are anticipated to begin early January 2024 and will take approximately three months to complete. Local residents and businesses will receive communication from Citywide before works begin.  

                    We will reline and lay new stormwater drainage, demolish the existing asphalt footpath, install bluestone pavers, general kerb and channel works and upgrade tree plots. 

                    Queen Street (west side, Lonsdale to La Trobe)

                    ​Works timing to be confirmed.  

                    We will demolish the existing asphalt footpath, pour a concrete slab and install bluestone pavers. ​


                    Queen Street (east side, Lonsdale to La Trobe)

                    ​Works timing to be confirmed.  

                    We will demolish the existing asphalt footpath, pour a concrete slab and install bluestone pavers.​


                    Lonsdale Street (south side, Queen to William)

                    ​Works timing to be confirmed.   

                    We will demolish the existing asphalt footpath, pour a concrete slab, install bluestone pavers and complete kerb and channel upgrades.​


                    Spencer Street (west side, Flinders to Collins)

                    ​Works timing to be confirmed.   

                    Spencer Street (east side, north of Little Collins to Bourke)

                    ​Works timing to be confirmed.

                    Elizabeth Street (west side, A'Beckett St to Franklin)

                    ​Works timing to be confirmed.

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