Victoria Street Bridge tram track replacement set for new year

Friday 20 December 2013

Tram tracks that are up to 60 years old will be upgraded in Richmond this summer as part of an important infrastructure project by Yarra Trams and Public Transport Victoria.

Two track replacement and rehabilitation projects are being combined with bridge strengthening work on behalf of VicRoads in order to minimise disruption to tram and road users.

Work to replace 100 metres of track on Victoria Street bridge will start in the early hours of Wednesday 8 January 2014 and continue 24 hours a day until 5am on Friday 24 January in time for the first tram.

Maintenance work between McKay Street and Burnley Street will take place between 5am on Saturday 11 January until 5am on Monday 13 January 2014.

January is a quieter period in terms of tram patronage and traffic volumes due to the summer school holidays, making it a suitable time to undertake this complex track renewal project.

Passengers will benefit from improved ride comfort, while passengers, local residents and traders will benefit from reduced noise associated with tram operations.

The project will also reduce the risk of disruptions due to track faults and reduce wear on trams.

Tram service changes - first tram Wednesday 8 January to last tram Thursday 23 January 2014

From first tram Wednesday 8 January to last tram Thursday 23 January 2014 no trams will operate on Victoria Street between Stop 29 Barkers Road & High Street and Stop 18 Hoddle Street & Victoria Parade.

Route 109 trams will divert via Route 48 along Bridge Road, between Stop 29 Barkers Road & High Street and Stop 8 Spring Street & Collins Street.

Route 31 will operate normally with additional trams on Route 31a each day. These trams will operate approximately every 20 minutes from first to last tram, between Stop 12 St Vincent's Plaza and Stop 18 Hoddle Street & Victoria Parade.

Route 24 will not operate during the work.

Route 48 and 75 will operate as normal.

There is a full road closure to traffic of Victoria Street between High Street and Burnley Street from 8-24 January and between Church Street and Burnley Street from 11-13 January.

Pedestrian access and crossing points will be maintained, while heavy vehicles can continue to use the detour route that has been in place since 2011 which is along Burnley Street, High Street and Church Street.

Traffic controllers will be on duty to assist motorists and pedestrians throughout the project.

Contact us
For train, tram and bus information or to provide feedback visit ptv.vic.gov.au or call 1800 800 007 (6am - midnight daily).