Swanston and Victoria streets Precinct Upgrade

Melbourne’s iconic tram network is the largest in the world, connecting over 200 million passengers every year to work, school, healthcare, shops and loved ones. As our population grows, the network must accommodate increasing demands and a variety of travel needs. To prepare for this, we’re revitalising Melbourne’s tram network and precincts to meet the city’s future needs and increased demands on the tram network.

Yarra Trams is working with the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) and City of Melbourne (CoM) to upgrade the Victoria and Swanston streets precinct by creating open public space, improving safety and operations. 

These works will be completed in stages:  

Early works

Night works - From 9pm to 5am, Sunday 28 July to Friday 30 August 2024 (Sunday to Thursday nights only).

Where

• Swanston Street- Between south of Franklin Street and north of Victoria Street.
• Victoria Street – Between Swanston Street and east of Elizabeth Street.
• Elizabeth Street- Between Victoria Street and south of Queensberry Street.

Major works

24-hour works- From 10pm, Friday 30 August to 5am, Monday 16 September 2024

Where

• Swanston Street- Between A’Beckett Street and north of Victoria street.
• Victoria Street- Between Elizabeth Street and Cardigan Street.

Early works – What to expect

• Setting up the work area, including traffic management.
• Identifying underground services.
• Installing new and removing old poles.
• Installing site sheds.
• Delivery and welding of rails.
• Reinstating the work area.

Road and Parking

• Nightly road, lane, parking and bike lane closures on Swanston, Victoria and Elizabeth streets.
• Temporary changes to bike lane and road layout to accommodate installation of new poles.
• Works will move along Swanston, Victoria and Elizabeth streets as the investigations progress.
• Nightly closure of the intersections as required.
• Mostly low to medium levels of noise. Some periods of high levels of noise during some of the service investigation works.
• Vehicles, trucks, machinery and contractors on site.
• Access to properties will not be affected by the works.
• No changes to tram services.
• Footpaths will remain open, temporary detours may be in place at some times.

Major works – What to expect

• 24 hour works.
• Kerb to kerb fencing along all sections of the site.
• Renewing tram power and poles.
• Excavating old and installing new tram tracks and road surface.
• Installing new left-turning tram tracks at the signalised intersection of Victoria and Swanston streets.
• Removing the tram tracks from the triangle parcel and creating a new public open space.
• Installing a continuous separated bike lane and footpath for increased pedestrian and bike order safety on the northbound side of Swanston Street Removing existing car parking on Victoria Street. Providing short-term/loading parking in Leicester and Bouverie streets, and on the south side of Victoria Street-west of Swanston Street.
• Reconfiguring the traffic lanes in Victoria Street, between Elizabeth and Swanston streets to two eastbound and three westbound lanes.
• Install a no right turn from Swanston Street (northbound) into Victoria Street (eastbound).
• Installing separation kerbs in some sections of Victoria Street for safety.
• Road and line marking.
• Reinstating the site.

Road and Parking

• Swanston Street will be closed from A’Beckett Street to north of Victoria Street.
• Victoria Street will be closed from Elizabeth Street to Cardigan Street.
• Intersection of Therry, Bouverie and Victoria streets will be closed.
• Intersection of Elizabeth and Victoria streets will be open
• Extremely high levels of noise for the first few days of works while we dig the tracks, asphalt and concrete.
• On-street parking, bike lanes and some side streets will be closed within the work area for materials storage.
• Traffic management and signage will direct traffic, please follow signage around works.

Public Transport

All tram routes along Swanston Street will be impacted. Visit: yarratrams.com.au/service-changes

Pedestrians

Footpaths will remain open during works.

 

We appreciate your patience while these works are completed.

For more information regarding these works, please call  1800 800 007.

For more information about final parking and traffic changes refer to the notification.

For more information about the types of work we do on the network and how we work with you

visit: https://www.yarratrams.com.au/infrastructure-upgrades