Toorak Road terminus upgrade

Wednesday 18 November 2015

As part of the modernisation of Melbourne's tram network, Yarra Trams and Public Transport Victoria will be performing infrastructure safety upgrades on Toorak Road between Glenferrie Road and Power Avenue.

The new terminus and accessible platform are critical upgrades for this section of the network and will greatly improve safety and access for all passengers and motorists. 

Benefits of the new terminus will include:

• Moving the terminus away from the intersection of Glenferrie Road will decrease the risk of passenger/car accidents.
• Passenger safety will be improved with a new signalised pedestrian crossing allowing passengers to safely access the new platform stop.
• Drivers will have better visibility of the terminus and its passengers.
• Increased protection from road traffic.
• Real-time passenger information.
• Improved passenger amenity including shelters, lighting and seating. 

Consultation

Yarra Trams and PTV carried out a consultation program from 15 June to 15 July 2015 to give the local community and key stakeholders an opportunity to learn more about the proposed stop upgrade and attend an information session. Interested parties were also given the opportunity to learn more or provide feedback by phone and email. Following the consultation period, Yarra Trams revised the design to incorporate the community's feedback and submitted a detailed plan to VicRoads for consideration. After a thorough review, VicRoads granted approval for Yarra Trams to construct the new tram terminus on Toorak Road between Glenferrie Road and Power Avenue.

Timing

Preliminary work began on Monday 16 November 2015 and will continue until the start of major works. This work is preparing the site for the construction of the new level access platform stop and will include pole installation, the unloading and pre-welding of rails and other minor civil works. These works will occur day and night.

Major work will commence at 12:01am Saturday 28 November and continue until 4:30am Thursday 3 December 2015. 

Associated noise and dust from machinery, vehicles and work crews is unavoidable but Yarra Trams will do all it can to keep this to a minimum.

Changes to Toorak Road

The new tram terminus will require the introduction of full-time parking restrictions on Toorak Road between Glenferrie Road and just west of Hopetoun Road.

A new pedestrian crossing will be installed on Toorak Road at the corner of Glenbervie Road to allow passengers to safely access the platform.

A new permanent, 24 hour 40km/h speed zone will be introduced on Toorak Road between Hopetoun and Moralla roads to make the transport network safer between trams and vehicles.

For more information on changes to Toorak Road, please click here for the terminus upgrade illustration. 

Work schedule

Early works activity	Approximate start and end times	Noise level
Stringing of rail, signal works, power pole installation and drainage installation, overhead power works	Monday 16 November to Friday 27 November from 7pm to 7am daily	Moderate to high
Pre-welding of rail, signal works, pipe installation and drainage installation	Monday 23 November to Friday 27 November from 7am to 7pm daily	Moderate
Major work activity	Approximate start and end times	Noise level
Removal and reconstruction of tram tracks	Saturday 28 November to Tuesday 1 December, 24 hours a day	High
Construction of new tram platform and pedestrian crossing	Saturday 28 November to Thursday 3 Deember, 24 hours a day	High
Post major work activity	Approximate start and end times	Noise level
Completion of new platforms and minor civil and signal works	As required from Thursday 3 December - 7am to 5pm	Low to moderate

Noise and dust

The noisiest work will occur between 6am and 10pm. However there may be a need to conduct noisy work outside these hours to ensure that the work is completed by 4:30am Thursday 3 December 2015.

The noisiest work will occur between 6am and 10pm. However there may be a need to conduct noisy work outside these hours to ensure that the work is completed by 4:30am Thursday 3 December 2015.

Motorists

Full road closures will be in place on Toorak Road between Kooyong Road and Glenferrie Roadfrom 12:01 Saturday 28 November until 4:30am Thursday 3 December, 2015. Traffic Controllers will provide local access to residents within the work zone, however delays should be expected. It is strongly advised to park vehicles in side streets to help prevent delays. Please refer to map below for recommended detours. 

Why is the new platform stop being constructed?

A safety risk assessment completed by Yarra Trams ranks the current Toorak Road terminus (at the intersection of Glenferrie Road) in the top ten hot spots in severity of risk to safety. Near misses between boarding and alighting passengers and passing traffic are recorded almost daily at the current terminus.

We had to balance a number of stakeholder issues and considerations when choosing a location for the new terminus, including traffic flow, safety and access for residents. Following an exhaustive consultation process with all relevant authorities and the community, the location chosen for the new terminus provides the best solution to balance these concerns.

Passengers

We advise that it is being performed in accordance with our obligations to Public Transport Victoria and is necessary to maintain a safe tram network as required by the Rail Safety Act 2006 (Vic).