Mattews Avenue Airport West Tram Overhead Works

Melbourne’s tram network, the largest in the world, serves over 200 million passengers each year. As the city grows, it’s essential to update the network to meet future demands and ensure it continues to provide reliable transport to work, school, healthcare, shopping, and more.

We’re working with the Department of Transport and Planning to upgrade the tram poles and overhead tram wires along Matthews Avenue, Airport West. These important maintenance works will improve operations and safety along this section of the tram network.

During these works, buses will replace Route 59 trams during Stages 1 and 2, and the English Street off-ramp will be
closed between 9pm and 5am during Stage 1 and 2.

Where?

Works will happen in the tram reserve along Matthews Avenue, between Fullarton Road and Hood Street, Airport West.

When?

Early works:
Day works: 7am to 5pm, Tuesday 15 July to Friday 22 August 2025.
Night works: 8pm to 5am, Tuesday 15 July to Sunday 17 August 2025. Note these night works will be intermittent.

Main works:
Stage 1: Night works will take place from 9pm to 5am, Monday 18 August to Thursday 21 August 2025.
Stage 2: 24-hour works will take place from 9pm, Friday 12 September to 5am, Monday 15 September 2025.

What is happening?

Early works:
– Setting up site and traffic management.

Day works:
– Trenching and installing conduits.

Night works:
– Service proving to identify underground services.
– Digging new holes to prepare for pole installation.

Main works:

Stages 1 and 2:
– Setting up work areas including traffic management.
– Removing old and installing new tram powerlines and poles.
– Reinstating the works area.

What to expect?

– Vehicles, machinery, and contractors on site.
– Mostly low to medium levels of noise. High levels of noise are expected when we are removing poles.

Early works:
– Partial lane closure along Matthews Avenue as required.

Main works:

Stages 1 and 2:
– Matthews Avenue southbound lanes will be closed to cars and other vehicles, but open to buses. See attached PDF for detour routes.
– English Street off-ramp will be closed from 9pm to 5am. See attached PDF for detour route.
– Car parks along Matthews Avenue, between Fullarton Road and Hood Street, will be closed for safety. Please use side streets for parking.

Public Transport Changes

Buses will replace Route 59 trams between Stop 53 Keilor Road/Matthews Avenue and Stop 59 Airport West/Matthews Avenue:

– Stage 1 - 9pm to 5am, Monday 18 August to Thursday 21 August 2025
– Stage 2 - 9pm Friday 12 September to 5am, Monday 15 September 2025.

Visit: yarratrams.com.au/service-changes

Businesses located around the works area will remain open during the works. Please continue to support your local businesses during these essential infrastructure works.