Domain Interchange

Domain Interchange

Southbound view in November 2013
Location St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Coordinates Coordinates: 37°49′58″S 144°58′20″E / 37.832677°S 144.972085°E / -37.832677; 144.972085
Operated by Yarra Trams
Platforms 2 island platforms
Tracks 4 (including 2 turning tracks)
History
Opened 1889
Closed 28 March 2013
Rebuilt 12 April 2013
Services

3/3a, 5, 6, 8, 16, 55, 64, 67, 72

Domain Interchange is a major interchange on the Melbourne tram system. Featuring two island platforms with four tracks, it has dedicated turning tracks and through tracks. It is located on St Kilda Road between Domain Road and Park Street, adjacent to Kings Domain, and is one of the busiest interchanges on the system, being used by nine tram routes. The current structure was opened in April 2013, replacing an earlier structure built in 1986.

History

Northbound view before the redevelopment in February 2013

The junction now known as Domain Interchange was open during the cable era in 1889. It was the connection between the Brighton Road – Queensberry Street line and the newly opened Toorak line which left St Kilda Road to travel along Domain Road; both lines traversed Swanston Street and St Kilda Road.[1] From 1925 to 1927 these two cable lines were converted to electric traction.[2]

In preparation for the electrification of St Kilda Road, a new depot and tracks were constructed, this brought a new line to Domain Junction, along Park Street and Hanna Street, which opened in 1925. It served as a means of diverting trams around the works on St Kilda Road without necessitating the construction of temporary track, and connected with the existing Sturt Street line. It would also serve as the first, and primary connection between Hanna Street tram depot (later South Melbourne depot) and St Kilda Road; the other being Sturt Street, which followed early in 1926. The Toorak cable tram line was converted to electric traction following the completion of St Kilda Road's conversion.[2][3][4][5]

Prior to the April 2013 redevelopment of Domain Interchange, it had last been redeveloped in the 1986, with shelters and a third track added to allow route 55 trams to terminate without inhibiting through services.[6][7][8]

During the 2006 Commonwealth Games temporary changes were made to the tram network. Among these changes, routes 3 and 5 were through-routed to West Coburg through Domain Interchange, becoming routes 53 and 55 respectively for the duration of the games.[9]

Redevelopment

Domain Interchange during redevelopment, 4 April 2013

The desire to redevelop Domain Interchange was raised by Yarra Trams CEO Dennis Cliche in a 2007 interview, with Cliche stating the redevelopment, along with other stops on St Kilda Road, was a priority; reiterating earlier comments in which he described it as "in need of an upgrade and a facelift."[10][11] Yarra Trams announced plans for the redevelopment of Domain Interchange in early 2013, with work commencing over the Easter 2013 long weekend.[12]

The new interchange has two island platforms that provide accessible entry to low-floor trams, four tracks, and created new bicycle lanes in the part of St Kilda Road surrounding the interchange. The redevelopment cost $10.2 million and was delivered by Coleman Rail, with design by GHD.[12][8][13] The track arrangement gives dedicated tracks to route 55 trams from Park Street to terminate, and southbound 8 trams to turn left in Toorak Road, without impacting other routes, who continue through the middle tracks.[14]

Preparatory works began in February, with major construction spanning from the Easter break of 2013.[12][15] The commencement of major works necessitated the full closure of St Kilda Road, with trams terminating either side of the interchange, and passengers walking around the works site to continue their journey.[16] Major works commenced on 29 March with a full closure of the intersection, St Kilda Road opening two lanes on 3 April, and partial road closures continuing for the duration of the works.[7] The completed interchange opened on the morning of 12 April 2013, with Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder lauding the projects improvements to the tram and bike system, and Yarra Trams stating the project to be the largest redevelopment they had undertaken.[17][18][19]

Future

Aerial photograph of the previous Domain Interchange, 2004

As part of the proposed Melbourne Metro Rail Project is planned to build Domain railway station 80 metres away from Domain Interchange.[13]

Routes

Domain Interchange is one of the busiest tram interchanges on the system, with 14,000 passengers using it every day, and 150,000 passing through it. It is utilised by nine tram routes, one terminating there, and eight running through it.[7][12][13][20][21]

The following routes operate to or through Domain Interchange:

References

  1. ↑ "The Melbourne Tramway & Omnibus Company Limited" (PDF). Running Journal. Tramway Museum Society of Victoria. June 1972. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 May 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Between the Wars". Yarra Trams. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  3. ↑ "Tramway Conversions". The Argus. National Library of Australia. 17 April 1925. p. 10. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  4. ↑ "New Tramways". The Argus. National Library of Australia. 6 May 1925. p. 21. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  5. ↑ "Tramway Conversion.". The Argus. National Library of Australia. 28 December 1925. p. 7. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  6. ↑ Here and There Trolley Wire (Sydney Tramway Museum) February 1987 page 24 (large file)
  7. 1 2 3 "Domain Interchange works update – Tuesday 2 April". Yarra Trams. 2 April 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  8. 1 2 "Domain Interchange Redevelopment". GHD. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  9. ↑ "Changes to your tram service during the Commonwealth Games – March 2006". Yarra Trams. 28 February 2006. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  10. ↑ Mitchell, Geraldine (11 April 2007). "Trams push to rule roads". Herald Sun. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  11. ↑ Moynihan, Stephen (28 March 2006). "Shuttles may end tram bottleneck". The Age. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Major upgrade for Domain Interchange". Yarra Trams. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  13. 1 2 3 Gough, Deborah (26 March 2013). "Domain intersection to close on Thursday". The Age. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  14. ↑ "Domain Interchange works update – Wednesday 10 April". Yarra Trams. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  15. ↑ "Easter transport woes for Melbourne commuters". ABC News. 26 March 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  16. ↑ Domain Interchange update – March 2013 (1 March 2013). "Domain Interchange update – March 2013". Yarra Trams. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  17. ↑ Terry Mulder MP (12 April 2013). "$10 million Domain Interchange upgrade great for tram passengers and cyclists" (PDF) (Press release). State Government of Victoria. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  18. ↑ "Welcome to the new Domain Interchange". Yarra Trams. 12 April 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  19. ↑ "Upgraded Domain interchange ready for Anzac Day". ABC News. 12 April 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  20. ↑ "20-Domain Interchange/St Kilda Rd (Melbourne City)". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  21. ↑ "20-Domain Interchange/St Kilda Rd (Melbourne City)". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  22. ↑ "Route 3/3a". Yarra Trams. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  23. ↑ "Route 5". Yarra Trams. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  24. ↑ "Route 6". Yarra Trams. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  25. ↑ "Route 8". Yarra Trams. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  26. ↑ "Route 16". Yarra Trams. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  27. ↑ "Route 55". Yarra Trams. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  28. ↑ "Route 64". Yarra Trams. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  29. ↑ "Route 67". Yarra Trams. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  30. ↑ "Route 72". Yarra Trams. Retrieved 17 November 2013.

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