Domain Interchange

The Anzac Station tram stop, formerly but still colloquially known as Domain Interchange, is a major interchange on the Melbourne tram network. It is located on St Kilda Road south of Domain Road, adjacent to Kings Domain, and is one of the busiest interchanges on the system, being used by eight tram routes. The newest iteration opened on 19 December 2022, replacing an earlier structure built in 2013 that was demolished in April 2018. It features one island platform with two tracks, reduced from the previous stop that had two island platforms and four tracks. When the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025, there will be a direct entrance to Anzac railway station in the middle of the platform.

History

The junction then 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. 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.

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.

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.

The desire to redevelop Domain Interchange was raised by Yarra Trams CEO Dennis Cliche in a 2007 interview, with Cliche stating the redevelopment, along with other stops on St Kilda Road, was a priority; reiterating earlier comments in which he described it as "in need of an upgrade and a facelift." Yarra Trams announced plans for the redevelopment of Domain Interchange in early 2013, with work commencing over the Easter 2013 long weekend.

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 costed $10.2 million and was delivered by Coleman Rail, with design by GHD Group. 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.

Preparatory works began in February, with major construction spanning from the Easter break of 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. 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. The completed interchange opened on the morning of 12 April 2013.

As part of the construction of Anzac railway station, Domain Interchange was closed in April 2018 and reopened in December 2022, south of the St Kilda Road/Domain Road intersection with the stop renamed "Anzac Station" to maintain the convention of naming tram stops adjacent to railway station after the station itself.

Routes

The Anzac Station tram stop is one of the busiest tram interchanges on the system, with 14,000 passengers using it daily, and 150,000 passing through it. It is utilised by eight tram routes, all of which pass through the interchange.

The following routes operates through Anzac Station:
*/3a: Melbourne University to Malvern East (diverting via St Kilda on weekends)
*: Melbourne University to Malvern
*: Moreland to Glen Iris
*: Melbourne University to Kew
*: West Coburg to Toorak
*: Melbourne University to Brighton East
*: Melbourne University to Carnegie
*: Melbourne University to CamberwellRoute 72
Yarra Trams

References

External links

{{MelbourneTramNavbox, state=collapsed

Trams in Melbourne
Transport in the City of Port Phillip
Road junctions in Australia
Rail infrastructure in Victoria (Australia)
Tram stops in Melbourne
1889 establishments in Australia
Transport infrastructure completed in 1889