Route 86 tram improvement works - 2 to 10 October

Tuesday 27 September 2011

Stage 1B of the Route 86 tram improvements is soon to become a reality with works to start in the early hours of Sunday 2 October.

This stage of works will take place in High Street between Separation Street and Clarke Street. The works will include:
• Renewal of 700 metres of tram tracks. This will be the first time the tracks have been renewed since 1955.
• Construction of two pairs of kerb outstand accessible tram stops at the Northcote Town Hall and Northcote Social Club.
• Extensive streetscaping works.
• Signal and traffic lane marking works.

During construction
High Street will be closed to all traffic, including trams, between Separation Street and Clarke Street from the early hours of Sunday 2 October to the morning of Monday 10 October.

Construction works will be undertaken around the clock with night works necessary to ensure the major construction is completed in the eight day period.

The replacement of the old tracks requires the existing tracks and centre section of the road to be removed. The removal of the old tracks will occur in the first two days of the works. This process will be very noisy as excavators break the road surface and diggers remove the old concrete and rail.

While the contractor will do all it can to keep noise to a minimum after 10pm, there will at times be a need to conduct noisy works after dark.

Once the old rail and concrete is removed, new rail, concrete and asphalt will be laid and the foundations for the level access stops will be built.

Further works to complete the accessible tram stops will be completed in the weeks following the main construction period.

Public transport options
With High Street closed, Route 86 trams will be replaced by buses between Dundas Street and Clifton Hill Interchange.

The tram replacement bus will divert in both directions via High Street, Westgarth Street, Victoria Road and Darebin Road. Passengers using the replacement bus service should allow extra time for their journey.

The tram replacement bus will service existing bus stops in Victoria Road. Passengers wanting to catch the tram replacement bus must hail the driver to indicate they want to board the service.

Bus routes 246, 250 and 251 in Victoria Road will operate as normal.

Epping Line trains may provide customers with an alternative transport option during the works.

Traffic changes
With High Street closed, motorists should detour via St Georges Road and Station Street. Motorists are encouraged to take alternative routes as far from the works area as possible to avoid congestion near the worksite.

Signage and traffic controllers will be on duty throughout the works to help motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

Pedestrian access in High Street
All footpaths will remain open during the works, however there will be limited crossings of High Street. Pedestrians will be able to cross High Street at Separation Street and Clarke Street.