La Trobe Street tram stop upgrades
We're delivering 12 level-access tram stops at six locations along La Trobe Street to improve accessibility, passenger safety and service reliability. These stops will also provide better connectivity to the new State Library Station, which is part of the Metro Tunnel Project.
The new tram corridor upgrade approach is a key element of Melbourne's Tram Plan, which outlines how a tram network can be delivered that puts passengers first, connects people to the places they want to go and is more accessible.
Project background
Making our public transport network accessible to all Victorians is a priority, which is why creating more accessible transport options is a key part of our $100 billion transport infrastructure program.
La Trobe Street is the last remaining CBD tram corridor without accessible tram stops. With low-floor E Class trams deployed onto Route 30 in recent years, upgrading the tram stops along this corridor will provide greater accessibility benefits for tram passengers.
We’re making more CBD tram stops easier to use
The La Trobe Street tram stop upgrade project will improve accessibility, safety and comfort on an important tram corridor, to ensure every Victorian can get to where they need to go.
Other benefits include:
- quicker tram journey times
- improved service reliability and connectivity
- more evenly spaced stops
- improved comfort and safety for passengers, with better separation from traffic.
La Trobe Street features several important interchange locations, both to trains (at Flagstaff Station and Melbourne Central Station) and trams along Spencer, William, Elizabeth and Swanston streets, making accessible tram stops important to help people get to their desired destination.
The upgrades will support the integration of the new State Library Station being built as part of the Metro Tunnel Project, into the broader public transport network.
Upgrading these tram stops will also help passengers with accessibility needs to connect east-west from Docklands to key destinations across the northern part of the CBD, including Melbourne Central, Flagstaff Gardens, RMIT University, Carlton Gardens and St Vincent’s Hospital.
The Swanston Street stop will interface with both the new State Library Station as well as the existing Melbourne Central Station.
The upgraded Elizabeth Street tram stops will support convenient interchange to City Loop trains at Melbourne Central Station, while those at William Street will provide an easy connection with Flagstaff Station.
Simplified example of La Trobe Street with new level-access tram stops (not to scale)
What will the works involve?
We’re upgrading the stops at Docklands Stadium (Stop D1), Spencer (Stop 1), William (Stop 3), Elizabeth (Stop 5), Swanston (Stop 6) and Exhibition (Stop 8) streets on La Trobe Street to make it easier for all passengers to use routes 30 and 35.
These stops will be upgraded with:
- raised platforms, to provide level boarding with low-floor trams
- new seating and longer shelters to protect against the elements
- improved lighting
- real time passenger information displays in more convenient locations.
Upgraded tram stop designs
Docklands Stadium (Stop D1)
Spencer Street (Stop 1)
William Street (Stop 3)
Elizabeth Street (Stop 5)
Swanston Street (Stop 6)
Exhibition Street (Stop 8)
Proposed locations of level-access tram stops
Download a larger version of the Proposed La Trobe Street tram corridor upgrade map (PDF) 58 KB
New platform tram stops will separate people from cars, provide more space and improve safety for tram passengers.
Building on the first stage of safety improvements made in January, the platforms at the Swanston/ La Trobe Street stops will now be extended. This was always planned and is part of our readiness for more passengers at this key train- tram interchange close to the Metro Tunnel's new State Library Station and Melbourne Central
To improve stop spacing, service reliability, and reduce tram journey times, stops at King, Queen and Russell streets will be removed. The majority of upgraded stops will be within a three minutes’ walk for most tram passengers.
We’re carrying out further investigations about the proposed removal of Stop 9 Victoria Street.
La Trobe Street: Tram stop upgrades, relocations and removals
Eastbound (towards Spring St)
Stop D1 Stadium Precinct/La Trobe Street - Upgrading tram stop.
Stop 119 Spencer Street/La Trobe Street - Relocating and upgrading tram stop east of Spencer Street for routes 30 35. Nearest stop for Route 86 is Stop 120 (approx. 3-min walk) on Spencer Street or nearest accessible stop for Route 86 is Stop 1 (approx. 6-min walk) on Bourke Street.
Stop 2 King Street/La Trobe Street - Removing tram stop. Nearest stops are Stop 1 Spencer Street/La Trobe Street (approx. 2-min walk) and Stop 3 William Street/La Trobe Street (approx. 5-min walk).
Stop 3 William Street/La Trobe Street - Relocating and upgrading tram stop east of William Street.
Stop 4 Queen Street/La Trobe Street - Removing tram stop. Nearest stops are Stop 3 William Street/La Trobe Street (approx. 3-min walk) and Stop 5 Elizabeth Street/La Trobe Street (approx. 3-min walk).
Stop 5 Elizabeth Street/La Trobe Street - Upgrading tram stop.
Stop 6 Swanston Street/La Trobe Street - Relocating and upgrading tram stop east of Swanston Street.
Stop 7 Russell Street/La Trobe Street - Removing tram stop. Nearest stops are Stop 6 Swanston Street/La Trobe Street (approx. 2-min walk) and Stop 8 Exhibition Street/La Trobe Street (approx. 3-min walk).
Stop 8 Exhibition Street/La Trobe Street - Upgrading tram stop.
Stop 9 Victoria Street/La Trobe Street - Following community feedback about Stop 9 Victoria / La Trobe streets, we're carrying out further investigations about the proposed removal of this stop.
Westbound (towards Docklands)
Stop 9 La Trobe Street/Victoria Street - Following community feedback about Stop 9 La Trobe / Victoria streets, we're carrying out further investigations about the proposed removal of this stop.
Stop 8 Exhibition Street/La Trobe Street - Relocating and upgrading tram stop west of Exhibition Street.
Stop 6 Swanston Street/La Trobe Street - Upgrading tram stop.
Stop 5 Elizabeth Street/La Trobe Street - Relocating and upgrading tram stop west of Elizabeth Street.
Stop 4 Queen Street/La Trobe Street - Removing tram stop. Nearest stops are Stop 5 Elizabeth Street/La Trobe Street (approx. 2-min walk) and Stop 3 William Street/La Trobe Street (approx. 3-min walk).
Stop 3 William Street/La Trobe Street - Upgrading tram stop.
Stop 1 Spencer Street/La Trobe Street - Relocating and upgrading tram stop east of Spencer Street.
Stop D1 Stadium Precinct/La Trobe Street - Upgrading tram stop.
Bike rider and pedestrian improvements
The bike lanes along La Trobe Street will be improved in many sections for the safety of all road users by providing more consistent bicycle lane widths and adding physical kerb separators to improve protection for bike riders at key intersections, including King, William, Queen, Elizabeth, Russell and Exhibition streets.
We are also widening and upgrading pedestrian crossings connected to tram stops to provide better accessibility and to support increased patronage.
Parking and loading zone changes
There will be changes to on-street parking on La Trobe Street. The main changes will be between Spencer and King streets, and Russell and Exhibition streets. We’ll be prioritising retention of accessible parking in making these changes.
Changes to existing loading zones will be required at some stops, with relocations of some loading capacity required to accommodate the new accessible tram stops. We’ll be engaging businesses and residents impacted by these changes.
Community information sessions and feedback
27 and 28 March 2024
We recently held two community information sessions about the La Trobe Street Tram Stop accessibility upgrades. Thank you to those who attended those sessions and to everyone who has provided us with feedback through our customer feedback channels.
There was overall support for the project which will help make the CBD tram corridor more accessible.
We note the community concern about stop spacing related to the removal of Tram Stop 9 La Trobe/Victoria streets. As a result, we are carrying out further investigations about the proposed removal of this stop.
In relation to the concern expressed over the noise and road access during the works, we recently door knocked all residents in the area to gain an understanding of individual issues. Yarra Trams will follow up with further face-to-face discussions over the next few of weeks.
There will also be regular works notifications to communicate changed conditions during the works and opportunities to raise any concerns should they arise.
The first stage of construction will take place in July 2024 and the second stage in August 2024
When will the upgrade happen?
Planning and design work is continuing. We will be engaging with key stakeholders and the local community to better understand their interests, discuss the localised impacts and how these upgrades can best serve local needs.
We’ll construct the new tram stops in two stages to minimise disruption and impacts to the community.
The first stage will take place in July 2024 and the second in August 2024.
More information about the works and disruptions will be provided closer to construction.
Changes to tram and bus services during works
During construction, there will be changes to tram and bus services. These changes will be communicated in advance of the works.
What other works are happening in the area?
Metro Tunnel Project is also making improvements in the area. We are working closely to minimise impacts to the local community and people travelling through the area.
For more information, please visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/metro-tunnel.
Get in touch
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For more information about this project, call us on 1800 800 007 or email us at [email protected].