The State Budget should include a “missing links” package of key tram line cross-links and upgrades.
This package has been singled out by the respected Rail Futures Institute in its Melbourne Rail Plan 2020-2050.
Fixing “missing links” in the tram network is the type of project Daniel Andrews should be focused upon instead of pie in the sky projects like his Suburban Rail Loop.
Construction of these “missing links” would increase the capacity of the existing tram network to meet current and projected patronage growth and enhance overall tram network efficiency and asset utilisation.
It would also open up the opportunity for many additional cross-city tram routes utilising much of the existing network.
A number of these modest projects will facilitate the creation of new routes and interchanges with other modes of transport, including trains.
These logical connections are a modest cost compared to many of the extravagant and costly rail and tunnelling projects that have blown out by billions of dollars under Daniel Andrews.
Short extensions to facilitate network integration:
- Route 3: extended from East Malvern (Darling Road) terminus 0.8 km to EAST MALVERN STATION
- Route 5: extended from Malvern (Burke Road) terminus 1.4 km to DARLING STATION.
- Route 19: extended from North Coburg (Bakers Road) terminus 0.7 km to MERLYNSTON STATION
- Route 67: extended from Carnegie (Koornang Road) terminus 0.9 km to CARNEGIE STATION
- Route 48: extended from North Balwyn terminus 0.9 km to GREYTHORN (Shopping Centre)
- Route 86 (existing Route 109): Station Pier, Port Melbourne – 200m of new track crossing Waterfront Place to a new twin-track interchange/terminus at the Station Pier gate.
- Route 57: extended from West Maribyrnong 3.4 km to AVONDALE HEIGHTS (Buckley Street)
Tram interchanges:
- New tram interchanges should be created at Clifton Hill Station connecting to Queen’s Parade and at Latrobe University.
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure, David Davis:
“Victorians cannot afford to wait forever for Labor to complete these “missing links” to the Melbourne metropolitan tram network.
“These tram route extensions would help provide the massive boost to construction activity and jobs the Federal Government has called upon the states to unlock.
“Funding to rapidly commence these critical tram route extensions must be provided in the State Budget on 24 November.
“Anything less means Daniel Andrews simply is not serious about Victoria recovering as quickly as possible from his botched COVID induced recession.”
