St Kilda Rd lanes reduced for years from today for Metro Tunnel construction

ST KILDA Road drivers are being told to find alternative routes from today with the popular thoroughfare to be reduced to one lane.

ST KILDA Road drivers are being told to find alternative routes with the popular thoroughfare to be reduced to one lane in sections from today.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said the changes which will be in place for years during the construction of the Melbourne Metro Tunnel.

METRO TUNNEL STATION NAME SET TO CONFUSE EVERYONE

MOTORISTS WARNED TO AVOID GRATTAN ST AND ST KILDA RD

St Kilda Road will be reduced to one traffic lane in both directions for around 800m between Kings Way and Dorcas Street for up to four years.

St Kilda Rd will close to one lane each way by the end of February and become a congestion nightmare for commuters. Picture: Josie Hayden

Construction work on St Kilda Rd has begun. Picture: Josie Hayden

However cyclists and tram passengers are not likely to be impacted.

Grattan Street commuters will also be impacted with traffic in both directions closing from next Monday for around 300 metres from Royal Parade to Leicester Street.

MELBOURNE: A CITY ON THE MOVE

Ms Allan acknowledged the effects but said it was for a good purpose.

“We know these changes will be disruptive but we need to get on and build the Metro Tunnel — so we can deliver the frequent, reliable, turn-up-and-go transport system passengers need,” she said.

“The new Anzac Station under St Kilda Road and Parkville Station below Grattan Street will connect two important precincts for the first time — making it quicker and easier to get to uni, the hospitals or the Shrine of Remembrance.

“We encourage motorists and passengers to plan ahead and allow extra travel time while we build a better transport system for our city and our state.”