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. A shelter built in 1986 was replaced when the stop was rebuilt in 2013.
The stop and interchange was demolished in April 2018, to facilitate the construction of the underground 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
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.The Melbourne Tramway & Omnibus Company Limited Running Journal June 1972 page 16 From 1925 to 1927 these two cable lines were converted to electric traction.Between the Wars Yarra Trams
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.Tramway Conversions The Argus 17 April 1925 page 10|New Tramways The Argus 6 May 1925 page 21Tramway Conversion The Argus 28 December 1925 page 7
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.Melbourne's William Street Tram Services Changed Transit Australia February 1987 page 23Here and There Trolley Wire February 1987 page 24
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.Changes to your tram service during the Commonwealth Games – March 2006 Yarra Trams 28 February 2006
Domain Interchange was rebuilt over the Easter 2013 long weekend.Major upgrade for Domain Interchange Yarra Trams 14 February 2013
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.Domain intersection to close on Thursday The Age 26 March 2013 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.Domain Interchange works update – Wednesday 10 April Yarra Trams 10 April 2013
Preparatory works began in February, with major construction spanning from the Easter break of 2013.Easter transport woes for Melbourne commuters ABC News 26 March 2013 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.Domain Interchange update – March 2013 Yarra Trams 1 March 2013 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.Domain Interchange works update – Tuesday 2 April Yarra Trams 2 April 2013Domain Interchange Redevelopment GHD The completed interchange opened on the morning of 12 April 2013.Welcome to the new Domain Interchange Yarra Trams 12 April 2013Upgraded Domain interchange ready for Anzac Day ABC News 12 April 2013
As part of the construction of Anzac railway station, the Domain Interchange was closed in April 2018, and then demolished.Melbourne Metro to close busy city streets for up to three years including Domain Road The Age 5 November 2015Toorak Road West and St Kilda Road tram works Melbourne Metro Rail Project The tracks were realigned around a new Anzac Station tram stop, located to the south of Domain Interchange, which opened in December 2022.New Anzac Station tram stop open for passengers Victoria's Big Build
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.20-Domain Interchange/St Kilda Rd (Melbourne City Public Transport Victoria 20 August 2016
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)Route 3 Yarra Trams 5: Melbourne University to MalvernRoute 5 Yarra Trams 6: Moreland to Glen IrisRoute 6 Yarra Trams 16: Melbourne University to KewRoute 16 Yarra Trams 58: West Coburg to ToorakRoute 58 Yarra Trams 64: Melbourne University to Brighton EastRoute 64 Yarra Trams 67: Melbourne University to CarnegieRoute 67 Yarra Trams 72: Melbourne University to CamberwellRoute 72 Yarra Trams
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