Project background
Granted heritage status in 2001, the 85 year-old Church Street Bridge is in need of rehabilitation works to ensure its ongoing safety to the public and preserve its historical significance.

This project is complex in nature because of the Bridge’s heritage status and the fact that the Bridge spans both CityLink/Monash Freeway and the Yarra River. It also involves Yarra Trams and two Councils that reside in separate VicRoads metropolitan regions.

VicRoads in consultation with Heritage Victoria, and the Cities of Stonnington and Yarra have developed a schedule of works that will ensure the historic value of the Bridge, whilst having the least impact on the community and improving safety.

First and second stages - completed
Under the first and second stages, rehabilitation works on top of the bridge have been completed. these works included repairs and waterproofing of the bridge deck, replacement of the old tram tracks, replacement of the concrete balustrdes (with exact replicas) and construction of new traffic barriers to further enhance public safety.

Stage three to commence early May 2009
VicRoads’ contractor Structural Systems P/L will be undertaking restoration work, which includes restoring the lighting columns to their original appearance, from early May 2009 until late July 2009.

During the works

There will be changes to traffic conditions. These include: 

•  Reduced speed zone on Church Street Bridge and approaches on Church Street, Chapel Street and      Alexandra Avenue
• Right turn from Church Street Bridge into Alexandra Avenue towards Melbourne will be prohibited during   the works
• There will be staged lane closures required during the works and these will take place from early May 2009 until late July 2009. At least one traffic lane in each direction will remain open throughout the works.
  

Pedestrians and cyclists will have access across the bridge at all times. Sections of the footpath will be closed during the works however access across the bridge will be available using the opposite footpath. Access to the staircase to the Main Yarra Trail below the bridge will also be maintained throughout the works.

Access to residential and business properties will remain available at all times however there may be minor impacts on street parking availability in the immediate vicinity of the structure during the works.

Tram services will continue to operate throughout the works period however some delays to tram services may occur during peak periods. The tram stop at the south east corner of the bridge may be temporarily relocated across to the other side of Alexandra Avenue for several weeks between early May 2009 and late July 2009.