Tram maintenance facility coming to Maidstone

A construction blitz will take place in November, with tram maintenance and a new stabling facility in Maidstone to be constructed.

Starting at 10pm, Thursday, November 7, and going until Wednesday, November 27, sections of Hampstead, Williamson and Wests roads will be closed to install overhead poles, wiring and lay out new tracks that link to the future stabling facility.

During this period detours will be put in place for bus routes 215, 406 and 408, with some bus stops on Hampstead and Williamson roads closed.

From 11pm, Friday, November 15 until the last service on Tuesday, November 28, buses will replace trams on Route 82.

Public and Active Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said that the works will cause some delays but will be worth it.

“We’d like to thank people for their patience while crews work to lay tram tracks next month. Please plan ahead and allow extra time while crews work around the clock,” he said.

“We are improving our tram network, and the new maintenance facility in Maidstone will make sure we have more trams, more often in Mebourne’s west.”

Footscray MP Katie Hall said “the new tram maintenance facility will keep our modern tram fleet running safely and reliably with the new accessible trams servicing the residents of Melbourne’s inner west.”

The project will use at least 94 per cent locally made content and create around 280 local jobs in construction, ongoing maintenance and the supply of materials and services.

The Maidstone tram facility will maintain, clean and house the new modern fleet of accessible G Class trams in Melbourne’s west – delivering increased space and comfortable journeys for passengers.

The modern tram facility is being constructed with sustainability at the forefront of its design, including energy efficient LED lights, solar panels, recycled plastic materials and rainwater tanks.