Update Wednesday 10 January: The works outlined in this article have been extended and will now be completed at 5am, Sunday 23 February.
A second tram track upgrade on Swanston Street—this time in the Melbourne University precinct—will again disrupt bike riders on the busy route.
Swanston and Elgin streets will be fully closed while Yarra Trams and the PTV replace tracks and powerlines that have reached the end of their lifecycle.
The work will be underway from 9pm on Friday 2 February, to 5am on Thursday 23 February and will be finished when university starts the following week.
The works follow the earlier tram track project at the intersection of Swanston and La Trobe streets at the beginning of January.
The project involves both tram track and power line works in two different sections of the street and will have differing impacts on riders.
The tram track replacement will be more disruptive with full closure of Swanston Street between Queensberry Street and Lincoln Square South and between Church and Elgin streets.
Elgin Street will be closed between Swanston and Cardigan streets.
These sections of Swanston and Elgin streets will have full kerb-to-kerb fencing and road closures.
The intersection of Grattan and Swanston streets will reopen on 6 February 2024.
Intersection of Queensberry and Swanston streets will remain open throughout the works enabling bike riders to use the Queensberry Street bike lanes.
Construction will be 24 hours a day.
The tram power line works will be less disruptive with traffic and bike lanes closed progressively along Swanston Street between Victoria and Queensberry streets and Lincoln Square South and Church Street.
Traffic and bike lanes will remain open between 7pm and 7am.
These works will be underway from 7am to 7pm, Saturday 3 February to Wednesday 22 February 2024 (day works).
Traffic management will be in place.
Bike riders would be wise to avoid Swanston Street during these works. There are multiple alternative routes around Carlton but be careful of displaced car traffic and drivers suffering from the usual degree of helplessness.
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