Part of St Kilda Road will reduce to one lane and Grattan Street will close for many years from this week to enable work on the biggest public transport project in Victoria’s history.
Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan today encouraged motorists and passengers to plan ahead and leave extra time for their journey as construction of the Metro Tunnel ramps up in Parkville and the Domain precinct.
From 14 February, St Kilda Road will be reduced to a one traffic lane in both directions for around 800 metres between Kings Way and Dorcas Street for up to four years. Tram access along St Kilda Road will mostly operate as normal over this period, while pedestrian and cycling access will be maintained.
Grattan Street will close in both directions from 19 February for around 300 metres from Royal Parade to Leicester Street for up to five years. Pedestrian access will be maintained with some diversions for cyclists.
Motorists should allow up to 15 minutes extra travel time through these sections of St Kilda Road and Grattan Street.
From 18 February, bus routes 401, 402, 403, 505, and 546 will be diverted around Grattan Street while still serving nearby hospitals and Melbourne University.
Buses will replace all trams along St Kilda Road during the April school holidays as tram tracks and traffic lanes are reconfigured. This work will allow traffic, trams, pedestrians and cyclists to keep flowing safely around the worksite throughout construction of Anzac Station.
To keep Melbourne’s transport network moving, more than $25 million has been invested in road, traffic and cycling upgrades across the Metro Tunnel Project area.
Bluetooth technology has been installed at 29 locations and CCTV cameras are being installed at 32 locations to monitor traffic in real-time, and information screens to provide drivers with the up-to-date travel time information and the best alternative routes.
Queensberry Street in Carlton has been widened to two lanes in each direction to provide an efficient cross-city alternative to Grattan Street.
The $11 billion Metro Tunnel will create up to 7,000 jobs and untangle Melbourne’s rail network so more trains can run to and from the suburbs across Melbourne. For more information on these works visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“We know these changes will be disruptive but we need to get on and build the Metro Tunnel – so we can deliver the frequent, reliable, turn-up-and-go transport system passengers need.”
“The new Anzac Station under St Kilda Road and Parkville Station below Grattan Street will connect two important precincts for the first time – making it quicker and easier to get to uni, the hospitals or the Shrine of Remembrance.”
“We encourage motorists and passengers to plan ahead and allow extra travel time while we build a better transport system for our city and our state.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020