Delays to North Tce tram extension works leaves some East End traders concerned

EAST End traders are concerned about the pace of work on the North Tce tram extension that is due to be completed in the next fortnight.

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SOME East End traders are concerned about the pace of work on the North Tce tram extension, with just a fortnight away from its scheduled completion.

East End Coordination Group president Julie Moralee said it was initially told the roadworks would be finished before Christmas last year.

Ms Moralee said the completion of work by the end of March also “seems highly unlikely”, and that traders have been impacted for almost two years due to work on the O-Bahn tunnel.

“It was particularly challenging for traders pre-Christmas and equally since,” she said.

“Traders will never forget the abandonment of the right-hand turn from King William St onto North Tce.

“This point was hidden, and even after it was discovered and probed by East End traders and residents it was brushed under the carpet.”

Tram extension work on North Tce in front of the old RAH facing East Tce. Picture: Tom Huntley

The State Government had coughed up an extra $10m to ensure work continued around the clock to minimise traffic disruption.

However, night work was restricted during the month-long Fringe Festival which concludes tomorrow.

But Transport Department spokesman said major works for the $80 million city tram project was on track to be completed by the end of the month.

He said: “Commencement of services are subject to testing and commissioning of the line as well as driver training.”

Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan last month denied any delays to the project.

RAA Senior Manager Road Safety Charles Mountain last year welcomed the funding boost to reduce disruption to motorists.

He said the works have not caused “too much inconvenience” to people during the day, and that the progress was in line with the timeline outlined in the project’s promotional material.

“I fully understand that people along the corridor are a little bit over the disruption that goes hand-in-hand with a project like this,” he said.

“Restrictions associated with major events, while they are good, they do impact on quite a significant degree of daily movements.”

Mr Mountain said when the tram work is complete they will be able to see the difference in traffic flow will along North Tce.

However, he warned that businesses and general activity should continue “as much as practically possible” during the construction of any project.