Riders along La Trobe Street will encounter major construction activity as tram stops are upgraded over the next two months.
Work will start near Harbour Esplanade at the west end of the street and then in a second stage move to the east end of the city.
Early works, underway at night from 7pm to 5am, will have minor impact on riders as most of La Trobe Street will remain open, although there will be some bike lane closures.
Both stages of the major works will result in 24-hour closures of La Trobe Street.
Stage 1: From 10.30pm, Friday 12 July 2024 to 4am Saturday 27 July, between Harbour Esplanade and Queen Street closing bike lanes in both directions.
The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) have released a map of detour routes for stage 1. The only continuous route through to Docklands is Collins Street.
However, we note that the Main Yarra Trail may suit come riders, and those effected by the current closure of the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail can used the shared path on Dudley Street between Adderley Street and Harbour Esplanade. While DTP suggests Lonsdale Street as an alternative west bound route, some riders may prefer bus-free Little Bourke Street.
Harbour Esplanade, King, William, and Queen streets will remain open to north-south traffic.
Each intersection along La Trobe Street may be closed for two to three nights as required for works required within the intersections.
Traffic management and signage will direct traffic around works.
Stage 2: From 10.30pm, Friday 16 August, to 4am, Friday 30 August. A two-week, 24-hour closure of bike lanes on La Trobe Street between Queen and Victoria streets, in both directions.
Queen, Elizabeth, Swanston, Russell, Exhibition and Victoria streets will remain open to north-south traffic and riders will be able to connect to alternative east-west routes, including the minor streets.
Tram services will be disrupted during the major works stages but will otherwise operate.
Footpaths will remain open around the works area. There may be temporary footpath closures around the works, with local detours in place.
The project by the Department of Planning and Yarra Trams will provide 12 new level-access stops at six locations along La Trobe Street from Docklands Stadium (Stop D1), Spencer Street (Stop 1), William Street (Stop 3), Elizabeth Street (Stop 5), Swanston Street (Stop 6) and Exhibition Street (Stop 8).
The project will provide more accessible and safer stops and better connectivity to the new State Library Station, which is part of the Metro Tunnel Project.
All stops will feature:
- Raised platforms, to provide level boarding with low-floor trams.
- New shelters and seating.
- Improved lighting.
- Real time passenger information displays.
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