Route 59, Tram priority changes for Mount Alexander Road, Essendon

Route 59 trams experience frequent and extended delays due to vehicles making u-turns and rights across the trams tracks into adjacent residential areas. There have also been a number of collisions between trams and vehicles on Mt Alexander Rd. 

In November 2008, VicRoads consulted the local community on a plan to improve tram operations on Mt Alexander Rd, Essendon. As a result of community feedback, the treatments of two unsignalised median openings in Mt Alexander Road at Marco Polo and Thorn Streets have been significantly modified.

The project aims to:

• provide greater priority for trams at the Thorn Street and Marco Polo Street intersections
• reduce delays to trams caused by motor vehicles on tram tracks, and 
• improve safety by reducing the potential for conflict between trams, vehicles and pedestrians.

Changes to Marco Polo and Thorn Streets
The current unsignalised median opening on Mt Alexander Rd at Marco Polo St will be closed to all traffic. At Marco Polo St, vehicles will be restricted to left in, left out movements only.

At Thorn St, vehicles will be restricted to left in, left out movements only. Northbound vehicles will no longer be able to turn right at the Thorn St median opening. South bound vehicles will still be able to turn at this median opening.

VicRoads would like to advise that works to construct the route 59, tram priority changes on Mt Alexander Road, at Thorn and Marco Polo Streets are expected to commence 19 January 2011. It is anticipated that the works will be undertaken over six weeks during daytime hours - weather permitting.

Changes at Shamrock Street
At this stage the consultation proposal to install a roundabout at Shamrock Street will not go ahead. However, line marking and bicycle lanes have been completed at this intersection.

The consultation proposal to construct a roundabout at Shamrock Street has been put on hold. Bicycle lanes and road line marking have been installed at Shamrock Street.These works have been completed at Shamrock Street.

Thank you to all residents, businesses and other members of the community who provided feedback on the proposal.