Domain Interchange

Domain Interchange
Southbound view in November 2013
General information
Location	St Kilda Road, Melbourne Australia
Coordinates	Coordinates: 37°49′58″S144°58′20″E / 37.832677°S 144.972085°E / -37.832677; 144.972085
Owned by	VicTrack
Operated by	Yarra Trams
Platforms	2 island platforms
Tracks	4
Construction
Disabled access	Yes
History
Opened	1889
Closed	5 April 2018
Rebuilt	17 November 1986 12 April 2013
Services
3/3a, 5, 6, 16, 58, 64, 67, 72

Domain Interchange was a major interchange on the Melbourne tram system. 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.

The stop was demolished in April 2018, to facilitate the construction of Anzac railway station as part of the Melbourne Metro Rail Project. Anzac Station tram stop opened in December 2022 to the south of the former Domain Interchange site.

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

Domain Interchange was rebuilt over the Easter 2013 long weekend. ^[9]

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 was delivered by Coleman Rail, with design by GHD Group. ^{[9] [10] [11]} 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. ^[12]

Preparatory works began in February, with major construction spanning from the Easter break of 2013. ^{[9] [13]} 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. ^[14] 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. ^{[15] [10]} The completed interchange opened on the morning of 12 April 2013. ^{[16] [17]}

Aerial photograph of the previous Domain Interchange, 2004

As part of the construction of Anzac railway station, Domain Interchange was closed in April 2018. ^{[18] [19] [20]} Anzac Station tram stop opened to the south of Domain Interchange in December 2022. ^[21]

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. ^{[15] [9] [11] [22]}

At the time of its closure, the following routes operated through Domain Interchange:

• 3/3a: Melbourne University to Malvern East (diverting via St Kilda on weekends) ^[23]
• 5: Melbourne University to Malvern ^[24]
• 6: Moreland to Glen Iris ^[25]
• 16: Melbourne University to Kew ^[26]
• 58: West Coburg to Toorak ^[27]
• 64: Melbourne University to Brighton East ^[28]
• 67: Melbourne University to Carnegie ^[29]
• 72: Melbourne University to Camberwell ^[30]

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 17 April 1925 page 10|
4. New Tramways The Argus 6 May 1925 page 21
5. Conversion The Argus 28 December 1925 page 7
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
9. Major upgrade for Domain Interchange Yarra Trams 14 February 2013
10. Domain Interchange Redevelopment GHD
11. Domain intersection to close on Thursday The Age 26 March 2013
12. Domain Interchange works update – Wednesday 10 April Yarra Trams 10 April 2013
13. Easter transport woes for Melbourne commuters ABC News 26 March 2013}}
14. Domain Interchange update – March 2013 Yarra Trams 1 March 2013
15. Domain Interchange works update - Tuesday 2 April Yarra Trams 2 April 2013
16. Welcome to the new Domain Interchange Yarra Trams 12 April 2013
17. Upgraded Domain interchange ready for Anzac Day ABC News 12 April 2013
18. Melbourne Metro to close busy city streets for up to three years including Domain Road The Age 5 November 2015
19. Toorak Road West and St Kilda Road tram works Melbourne Metro Rail Project
20. Domain Tram Infrastructure Changes Newsrail June 2018 page 185
21. New Anzac Station tram stop open for passengers Victoria's Big Build
22. 20-Domain Interchange/St Kilda Rd (Melbourne City Public Transport Victoria 20 August 2016
23. Route 3 Yarra Trams
24. Route 5 Yarra Trams
25. Route 6 Yarra Trams
26. Route 16 Yarra Trams
27. Route 58 Yarra Trams
28. Route 64 Yarra Trams
29. Route 67 Yarra Trams
30. Route 72 Yarra Trams

External links

Media related to Domain Interchange at Wikimedia Commons