Domain Station? A smart alternative.

Transcription

1 Melbourne Metro Rail Domain Station? A smart alternative. By William McIntosh B.E. (Hons), M.Sc, MAusIMM(CP)

2 The Background Domain Station is proposed to be built via a 'cut and cover' method, with the station box excavated from the top down and a roof slab placed over the top of the site, a method not used in sensitive locations anywhere in the world. Underground construction activities will take place 24/7 once the roof slab has been installed, while traffic is reduced from 6-8 lanes each way, down to 1 lane each way. St Kilda Road action group is working on behalf of 8,000 plus directly affected residents, Domain Precinct Preservation Association, Save St Kilda Road, who are working tirelessly behind the scenes, other interested groups, commuters and individuals estimated at 150,000 plus, affected by by this inappropriate development. 24 hours a day 7 days a week for 5 years. The worksite almost touches the buildings.

3 The Problem The current proposal has many problems that will arise including: Requires removal of 200+ mature trees in the World s Most Liveable City. Replacements will take 25 years (a generation) to mature Vandalises Melbourne s Premier and World-Famous Boulevard a tourist icon. In the direct vicinity of The Shrine Construction will seriously impact the flow of peak hour vehicular traffic along a main access route to and from the City. Effectively reduced to one lane, and none when a tram stops to discharge/load passengers. Impacts tram and bus travel times along St Kilda Road for many years, particularly at Peak Hours

4 The Problem Will divert traffic onto Queens Road/Kings Way or Punt Road/Hoddle Street, which are already stop/start at Peak Hours. This will add significantly to Travel Times for all, and cause major delays with incidents Markedly increases the risk of injury to tram passengers alighting along a section of St Kilda Road for years. Added road rage will increase this risk Places the many, and increasing, bicycle commuters along St Kilda Road at much higher risk of vehicle collisions with greater traffic pressure, and road rage increase Increases the risk of injury to pedestrians & students from two major schools with loss of Safe Tram Stops Requires the removal of the Boer War Memorial Wastes the $ Millions spent on the Domain Tram Interchange

5 The Problem Requires some 500,000 cubic metres (over 800,000 tonnes) of excavated material to be hauled away, adding to traffic congestion and road damage. Above construction impacts will continue for 5+ years Will cost about $500 million to complete (excluding value of travel time impacts for all users). Issues: The complex site, with all the provisions of continued traffic usage, and the many utilities to be relocated, are large added costs The difficult working location will add a large percentage to the costs of excavation and construction

6 A square peg for a round hole ROUTE #8 TRAM TRACKS RE- LAYED IN TOORAK ROAD NORTH ALL TREES REMOVED EXCAVATION IN SHRINE GROUNDS TRAM AND ROAD LANES DIVERTED SEVERAL TIMES DOMAIN TRAM INTERCHANGE DEMOLISHED BOER WAR MEMORIAL REMOVED EXCAVATION RIGHT UP TO BUILDINGS ONLY ONE LANE EACH WAY FOR 5+ YEARS

7 The Alternative Solution: Relocate entire project to Toorak Road West

8 Park Station Locate Underground (UG) rail station along the northern edge of Fawkner Park adjacent to Toorak Road Exit points from UG could be provided at St Kilda Road and Tram Super Stop (via an UG travelling walkway), at Park Street (walking distance to South Yarra), and on the northern side of Toorak Road The former will directly connect with all present St Kilda Road trams. Including Tram #55, for which trackage exists for continuation to Toorak Road Only 25 trees need to be removed, 11 of which are palms which can be removed, saved and returned. A closer station for 50% of South Yarra residents and workers only 800 meters from Alfred Hospital and close to commercial district

9 Park Station

10 Park Station PARK LAND and INFRASTRUCTURE CAN BE RESTORED AND IMPROVED DIRECTLY OVER STATION A SUBTERRANEAN PEDESTRIAN PLAZA/CROSSING IS NOT REQUIRED, REDUCING EXCAVATION DEPTH/VOLUME SIGNIFICANTLY EXISTING TENNIS COURTS AND KINDERGARTEN CAN BE TEMPORARILY RELOCATED NEARBY

11 The Savings Domain Station Re-positioning Savings: $200 to $400 million in construction costs The $1 Billion need for an underground rail connection at South Yarra Traffic chaos for over five years on all routes into the CBD area from the south, estimated to cost Victoria $1.2 Billion with 60 million manhours lost. Expenditure of $700 million on alternative route upgrades. And the minimal loss of mature age trees on Melbourne s iconic boulevard 200 are under threat!

12 The Author William M. McIntosh B.E.(Hons), M.Sc., MAusIMM(CP) Background: Engineer educated in Melbourne and Canada, Over 45 years experience in mining and infrastructure, Minor involvement in City Loop preliminary works in Y1969 Designed, managed and built infrastructure in Australia, Indonesia, Colombia, and Bangladesh Advised multi-nationals on rail and port infrastructure world-wide Reputation for problem solving in complex situations

13 Thank you For more information about the Domain Station, the problems it will cause and our proposed solution please visit: