Melbourne extends eastern suburb tramlines

Thiess Bros has started a 2.75km $20.8 million design and construct extension of the East Burwood tram line in Melbourne's eastern suburbs from Blackburn to Vermont South shopping centre.

The route 75 extension, will run along the median strip of the Burwood Highway, like the first 3.5km extension to Middleborough Road in 1978 and the 2.75km extension in 1993 to Blackburn Road.

Eventually it will be extended another 5km along the Burwood Highway to Knox City shopping centre.

Preliminary roadworks began mid year and the extended tram services are due to start in mid 2005.

Included in the works will be 10 new Disability Discrimination Act compliant raised tram platforms, an integrated tram/bus interchange and widening of the Burwood Highway to accommodate the tramlines.

Another tramline extension in Melbourne's Docklands will be a one kilometre long $7.5 million double track from a new triangular junction at the intersection of La Trobe Street and Harbour Esplanade to Dudley Street, West Melbourne then along Docklands Drive to Sudholz Street in the north eastern corner of Docklands.

This route too will incorporate raised platforms and shelters. Also, there will be real time electronic passenger information displays, stainless steel handrails and tactile tiling.

The trams will access the shops and restaurants at New Quay and the 19.5ha entertainment and retail precinct, Waterfront City.

These extensions will take the Melbourne tram network to 245 route kilometres.

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Melbourne extends eastern suburb tramlines

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