Aged tram tracks to go during major works

BENDIGO’s historic tourist trams will go under wraps from mid-to-late October until mid-to-late November while a six-hundred-and-sixty-metre section of dual tracks between Short Street and Mundy Street are removed and replaced.

The section of tracks is nearly 100 years old and has reached the end of its useful service life, with substantial buckling observed in some areas.

The $5.68 million works will include protection of the existing infrastructure (including heritage poles and utilities), removal of granite cobble stones and tracks, earthworks to subgrade level, installation of new tracks, the reinstatement of the

cobble stones after cleaning and new line-marking.

City of Greater Bendigo engineering manager Ian McLauchlan said Bendigo Tramways is a much valued and loved local attraction for both residents and visitors, and the work is necessary to help preserve one of the city’s most important heritage attractions into the distant future.

“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 kilometres per hour will be applied through the work zone,” he said.

“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.”

Works are anticipated to take place between 7am and 7pm, seven days per week during the period with the possibility of some night works as well.

The project’s completion will be subject to weather conditions and the availability of supplies and materials.

Find out more on the COGB website.