Newcastle’s Hunter Street will reopen between Union Street and Darby Street at the end of July, as construction milestones continue to be passed on the city’s light rail line.
While the fences are coming down on this section of Hunter Street, by the close of the month, the track base will be laid along the entire route, while Worth Place will be permanently opened (establishing a permanent link between Honeysuckle and Hunter Street), and more than 100 residential and business parking spaces will again able to be used by the public.
Revitalising Newcastle program director Michael Cassel said the project was now moving from what he called “a period of construction disruption” to the process of unveiling a “transformed” city centre.
“July is a big month for Newcastle Light Rail. We’ve built more than half the track and are completing more by the day, we’re expecting to have all our below ground works done by the end of the month, and we’re returning more parking spaces in the city, which will be welcomed by residents and businesses,” Cassel said.
“There are more than 50 businesses plus educational and cultural facilities along the stretch of Hunter Street between Union and Darby, and I’m pleased to give the assurance that within just a few weeks we’ll be finished in their area.”
Cassel also indicated that construction – which will include completing track installation – will wrap up in the coming months, along with the expected arrival of light rail vehicles at the Port of Newcastle.
“While our number one priority is to quickly and safely finish construction, the community will start to see more information from Revitalising Newcastle focussed on living with trams in the city,” he said.
“It’s 68 years since trams have run in Newcastle, and it’s important that over the next few months we build awareness of tram safety and how getting around the city centre will change.”