As the Australian Open serves up two weeks of nail-biting tennis action, those heading to the event from Melton and Moorabool are reminded of travel changes resulting from major works in Melbourne’s west, north and south-east.
Public transport is always the best option when heading to events in the city as parking is often limited, and we’re running extra trams throughout the two-week Grand Slam.
Free tram travel is available for Australian Open ticketholders on routes 70 and 70a between Flinders Street West, near Southern Cross station, and John Cain Arena starting Monday. Dedicated shuttles will run daily from 8am to an hour after the end of play until Thursday, 26 January, and from 11am until an hour after the end of play between Friday, 27 and Sunday, 29 January.
Richmond and Jolimont stations are a short walk from Melbourne Park, providing another option for tennis fans catching trains on the north-eastern, eastern or south-eastern lines.
The City Loop, including Flagstaff, Melbourne Central and Parliament stations, will re-open and trains will resume service around the CBD from the first train on Monday, 16 January following two weeks of upgrade works.
Public Transport changes
Buses are replacing trains on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines between Flinders Street and Dandenong until the last service on Friday, 13 January. Replacement bus services will then operate between Flinders Street and Westall until the last service on Friday, 27 January.
Buses are replacing trains on the Frankston Line between Flinders Street and Moorabbin until the last service on Friday, 27 January. Replacement bus services on Sunday, 22 January will operate between Flinders Street and Mordialloc from 6.30am to 7.30pm.
Coaches are replacing trains on the Gippsland Line between Southern Cross, Traralgon and Bairnsdale for the entire journey until the last service on Tuesday, 31 January.
Replacement buses are running to Federation Square, Parliament Station or the Arts Centre, with trams on Route 70 or 70a providing an easy link to Melbourne Park.
Passengers are encouraged to visit ptv.vic.gov.au/disruptions for more information and to plan their journey, as these changes will extend travel times.
Traffic changes
From the west, the citybound lanes of Footscray Road, West Melbourne are closed between Dock Link and Appleton Dock roads until early-April, for West Gate Tunnel Project works. Those travelling from Footscray should detour using Dynon Road.
In the north, parts of Craigieburn Road, Aitken Boulevard and Bridgewater Road in Craigieburn are closed over summer, as part of the Craigieburn Road Upgrade. While local detours provide access for residents and businesses, the detours for all other traffic are significant and will add up to 25 minutes extra to journeys in the area.
In the south-east, the intersection of Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road and Thompsons Road in Cranbourne is closed in all directions until mid-February, as part of the Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road Upgrade. Detours include the South Gippsland Highway and Berwick-Cranbourne Road.
The intersection of Narre Warren North Road and Ernst Wanke Road in Narre Warren is closed in all directions until Wednesday, 25 January, as part of the Narre Warren North Road Upgrade. Detours via Belgrave-Hallam Road the Monash Freeway and Parkhill Drive will increase journey times by up to 20 minutes.
Real-time traffic conditions are available at traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au or via the VicTraffic mobile app.
More information about these projects is available at bigbuild.vic.gov.au/summer
