The makeover of Southbank Boulevard is about to start, delivering a critically needed bike route through the precinct on the south side of the Yarra.
Attractive bike lanes will flow for 1.1km from through St Kilda Road past the ABC studios and through to Southbank Promenade along the Yarra.
The Boulevard, originally built before the Burnley and Domain tunnels, is currently way over-engineered for the volume of traffic it carries.
The City of Melbourne decided to take traffic lanes away and repurpose the street with 2.5 hectares of public open space and bike facilities.
It will also involve the transformation of Dodds Street, which runs off the Boulevard into the University Arts precinct.
Work will result in periodic closure to all road traffic, including bikes, at various times over the 12 month long project.
The project has attained greater importance following the recent announcement by the State Government of plans for a new gallery of modern art in adjacent Sturt Street.
From July to September the activities will involve early works – civil, road and tram infrastructure.
The whole project should be finished by August next year.
The city describes the elements of the project as:
- Create 2.5 hectares of new public open space
- Prioritise pedestrians, public transport and cyclists
- Deliver a new, accessible tram stop on Sturt Street
- Enhance the gateway into the Arts Precinct
- Create a living link, connecting the Domain Parklands to the Yarra River
- Create a ‘Melbourne Experience’ for Southbank
- Bbuild a new civic square for the precinct
- Deliver a series of new neighbourhood parks for the community.