Melbourne’s La Trobe Street is bracing for a significant period of disruption as Yarra Trams continues its ambitious upgrade of tram services. From Friday, 16 August until the early hours of Friday, 30 August, La Trobe Street will be closed to both traffic and trams between Queen Street and Victoria Street. The construction work, focused on installing 12 new level-access tram stops, is part of a broader effort to improve accessibility and safety along this key city route.
This project will result in substantial changes for commuters and residents alike. Tram services on routes 30 and 35 will be rerouted, and eight tram stops along La Trobe Street will be temporarily closed. Passengers will need to rely on alternative transport options such as City Loop trains, trams on Bourke and Collins streets, or bus services along Lonsdale Street to navigate the city during this period.
For motorists, the closure will necessitate detours through Lonsdale, Victoria, Queensberry, and A’Beckett streets, which will inevitably add extra time to journeys. Elizabeth, Russell, and Exhibition streets will remain open for daytime traffic crossing La Trobe Street, though each may close for up to two nights during the work.
Cyclists are also advised to plan ahead, as bike lanes within the closed section of La Trobe Street will be unavailable. Alternative routes include Little Lonsdale, MacKenzie, and A’Beckett streets. Pedestrians will still have access to businesses and residences, although temporary footpath closures and detours may be in place to ensure safety.
The construction work involves significant road excavation, the installation of new platform stops, the removal of outdated safety zone stops, resurfacing of the road, and line marking. Additionally, from Monday, 26 August to Saturday, 31 August, further closures at the La Trobe and Swanston streets intersection will allow for overhead wiring upgrades related to the Metro Tunnel Project.
Once complete, the upgraded tram stops will feature raised platforms for level boarding with low-floor trams, new shelters and seating, enhanced lighting, and improved passenger information displays. These enhancements are designed to provide a more accessible, safer, and more comfortable experience for passengers on routes 30 and 35.
Passengers are encouraged to stay informed by visiting ptv.vic.gov.au/disruptions for the latest updates and to plan their journeys during this period of significant change.
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