Melbourne Metro Tunnel has begun building the new Franklin Street bike connection which will transform active travel across the northern end of the central city.
The structure of the first bike lane section on the south side of Franklin Street between Stewart and Swanston streets is now visible, along with the wide footpath beside it designed to take advantage of the sunny side of the street.
Metro Tunnel contractors are building the newly configured Franklin Street between Stewart and Victoria streets, where it will connect with the bike lanes in Cardigan Street, to provide new active transport access to the central city from Carlton.
West of Stewart Street, the City of Melbourne has plans to continue the rebuild of Franklin Street right through to the Queen Victoria Market and the William Street bike route at Flagstaff Gardens.
The concept of the new Franklin Street emerged from early planning for the State Library Station and was refined over several iterations to land on the present design in 2024.
The thinking was to prioritise pedestrian and bike movement in the northern precinct around the station, providing additional areas for public participation on streets where ancillary station infrastructure otherwise constrains access by motor traffic.
The plans describe a promenade that "will effectively be a linear park with areas for socialisation, outdoor dining, shaded trees, recreation, gardens and public art.
"The promenade will provide an additional space for students and locals to connect and relax. Ultimately this approach could also be applied to Therry Street to create a pair of pedestrian focused streets that connect State Library Station to the Queen Victoria Market.
"There is considerable bicycle usage around the CBD North precinct due to the high student population accessing areas within and around the precinct.
“With Swanston Street and Franklin Street subject to significant modifications to allow for the new station entrances, there is an opportunity to provide safety whilst addressing increasing demand for bicycle access."
The plans call for 172 bike-parking spaces to be provided in association with the station.
There will be major road works along Franklin Street between now and late July 2025.
There will be day works between 7am and 2.30pm and night works from 6pm to 4am on 18–19 June, 2–4 July and 8–9 July. There will be no vehicle access to Franklin Street during night works.
Franklin Street between Elizabeth and Stewart streets will remain open to vehicles during the day.
Works on Franklin Street east of Swanston Street will continue with the street closed off to all traffic.
City of Melbourne plans for Franklin St West
Meanwhile plans are advanced for a matching transformation of Franklin Street along the blocks further east.
The plans, developed by the City of Melbourne and funded by both the City and the state government, will be anchored by the improvements works underway at the Queen Victoria Market and the Gurrowa Place development.
The Franklin and Queen Street roundabout was removed and the roadway realigned last year in a preliminary step towards the transformation.
The City of Melbourne envisages a biodiversity corridor with more trees and plants, with a target of 40% tree canopy cover helping to create a cooler environment with 1800 square metres of biodiversity-focused garden beds and rain gardens.
The road is reduced from four lanes to two with 800 metres of separated bike lanes and new pedestrian crossings, lighting and stormwater flooding management.
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