The City of Greater Bendigo will commence a $5.68 million project next week on Friday October 24, to remove and replace a 660-metre section of ageing dual tram tracks in High Street and Pall Mall between Short Street and Mundy Street.
City of Greater Bendigo Presentation and Assets Director, Brian Westley said during the works period this section of High Street and Pall Mall will be reduced to one lane on either side of the tram tracks and a reduced speed limit of 40 km/h will be applied through the work zone.
“The City strongly encourages motorists travelling between White Hills and Golden Square and beyond to avoid the area where possible and use Weeroona Avenue/Lucan Street/Barnard Street and Don Street as alternative routes to avoid any potential delays,” Mr Westley said.
“When the works are underway there will be no right turns allowed into Forest, Williamson, Bull, and Mundy Streets and Easter Fair Way from High Street and Pall Mall for the duration of the works. In addition to this the intersection of Mitchell and View Streets with Pall Mall will be closed to all traffic from October 26 to 28. Sidney Myer Place will be used as a work site compound and will be closed to traffic.
“Right hand turns will be available at Short Street and Chapel Street. Left hand turns will be available into High Street and Pall Mall from Forest, Mitchell, View, Williamson, Bull, and Mundy Streets and from Easter Fair Way.
“The southernmost pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Pall Mall and Williamson Street will remain open during the works.
“The northernmost pedestrian crossing at Mitchell Street will remain open for the majority of the project. However, the remainder of the intersections will be closed to crossing and right turning vehicle traffic.
“Works are anticipated to take place between 7am and 7pm, seven days per week with the possibility of some night works. The project is expected to be completed by late November subject to weather conditions and the availability of supplies and materials.”
Project works will include:
- Establishment of site and works storage compound in Sidney Myer Place, installation of temporary fencing, traffic barriers and signage
- Protection of the existing infrastructure including heritage poles and utilities
- Removal of existing historic granite cobble stones and existing track
- Earthworks to subgrade level and disposal of all excess material
- Installation of new track and associated infrastructure and reinstatement of cleaned granite cobble stones and asphalt road pavement to centre of adjacent traffic lane
- New line-marking
Mr Westley said the section of the tram track has not been renewed since the 1930’s and needs replacement to ensure Bendigo’s famous talking trams can continue to operate.
“Bendigo Tramways is a much valued and loved local attraction for both residents and visitors and this work is necessary to help preserve one of Greater Bendigo’s most important heritage attractions and local economic drivers into the future.”
The tourist trams will not operate while works are underway. For more information on the operation of the trams, visit:
More information
For more comprehensive information on the tram track works project, visit: