Domain Interchange

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

Domain Interchange
Southbound view in November 2013
General information
LocationSt Kilda Road, Melbourne
Australia
Coordinates
Owned byVicTrack
Operated byYarra Trams
Platforms2 island platforms
Tracks4 (including 2 turning tracks)
Construction
Disabled accessYes
History
Opened1889
Closed5 April 2018
Rebuilt17 November 1986
12 April 2013
Services
3/3a, 5, 6, 16, 58, 64, 67, 72

The stop was demolished in April 2018, to facilitate the construction of Anzac railway station and a new train-tram interchange, as part of the Melbourne Metro Rail Project. A new Domain Interchange is scheduled to open on completion of the station.

History
Northbound view before the redevelopment in February 2013

The junction now known as Domain Interchange was opened 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 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]

On 17 November 1986 the stop was reopened after being rebuilt, with shelters and a third track added to allow route 55 trams to terminate without inhibiting through services.[6][7]

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.[8]

Domain Interchange during redevelopment 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."[9][10] Yarra Trams announced plans for the redevelopment of Domain Interchange in early 2013, with work commencing over the Easter 2013 long weekend.[11]

The new interchange had 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 costed $10.2 million and was delivered by Coleman Rail, with design by GHD Group.[11][12][13] The track arrangement gave 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.[11][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.[17][12] The completed interchange opened on the morning of 12 April 2013.[18][19]

Future
Aerial photograph of the previous Domain Interchange, 2004

As part of the construction of Anzac railway station, Domain Interchange was closed in April 2018.[20][21][22]

Routes

Domain Interchange was one of the busiest tram interchanges on the system, with 14,000 passengers using it every day, and 150,000 passing through it. It was utilised by eight tram routes, all of which pass through the interchange.[17][11][13][23]

The following routes operated through Domain Interchange, before its temporary closure in April 2018:

References
  1. The Melbourne Tramway & Omnibus Company Limited Running Journal June 1972 page 16
  2. Between the Wars Yarra Trams
  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. Melbourne's William Street Tram Services Changed Transit Australia February 1987 page 23
  7. Here and There Trolley Wire February 1987 page 24
  8. "Changes to your tram service during the Commonwealth Games – March 2006". Yarra Trams. 28 February 2006. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  9. Mitchell, Geraldine (11 April 2007). "Trams push to rule roads". Herald Sun. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  10. Moynihan, Stephen (28 March 2006). "Shuttles may end tram bottleneck". The Age. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  11. "Major upgrade for Domain Interchange". Yarra Trams. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  12. "Domain Interchange Redevelopment". GHD. Archived from the original on 23 November 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  13. 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. "Domain Interchange works update – Tuesday 2 April". Yarra Trams. 2 April 2013. 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. Melbourne Metro to close busy city streets for up to three years including Domain Road The Age 5 November 2015
  21. Toorak Road West and St Kilda Road tram works Melbourne Metro Rail Project
  22. Domain Tram Infrastructure Changes Newsrail June 2018 page 185
  23. "20-Domain Interchange/St Kilda Rd (Melbourne City)". Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  24. Route 3 Yarra Trams
  25. Route 5 Yarra Trams
  26. Route 6 Yarra Trams
  27. Route 16 Yarra Trams
  28. Route 58 Yarra Trams
  29. Route 64 Yarra Trams
  30. Route 67 Yarra Trams
  31. Route 72 Yarra Trams

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