The City of Melbourne’s Future Melbourne Committee has endorsed design concepts for the redevelopment of Swanston Street.
The approval means that works can commence on stage one, which will see a new civic space incorporating a platform tram stop constructed in front of the State Library Victoria, between Little Lonsdale and La Trobe Streets.
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said he was pleased with the redevelopment plan and looked forward to seeing the street’s transformation commencing later this year.
“This is the beginning of the renaissance of central Melbourne. The redevelopment of Swanston Street has seen us re-think the street’s entire civic environment to create a coherent, consistent plan that ties the whole street together,” he said.
The $25.6 million redevelopment, which has been led by the City’s Professor Rob Adams, includes dedicated bike lanes, four new tram stops, new street furniture and lighting and the removal of private vehicles and taxis.
Stage one of the redevelopment will install a new platform tram stop between La Trobe and Little Lonsdale Streets in front of State Library, the tram tracks will be lowered, and granite and bluestone pavements will be extended to the platform edge.
Work on stage one of the redevelopment is expected to commence in late 2010 and to be completed early in 2011.
A further report will be presented to councillors prior to stage two work commencing in mid 2011.
That report will respond to any further issues that impact on specific stakeholders including trams, delivery and service vehicles, taxis, buses, horse drawn vehicles, as well as retaining Swanston Street as a key parade street.
“Swanston Street is currently closed to private vehicles between 7am and 7pm and we will now commence the legislative process to close the road to private vehicles 24 hours a day. We hope to have this road closure in place later this year,” the Lord Mayor said.
