Engineers have begun geotechnical and environmental site assessments in the lead up to construction on Melbourne’s Elizabeth Street upgrade.
Consultants have been engaged to test the underground soil conditions between Flinders Street and Flinders Lane to help complete street scape designs for the southern end of Elizabeth Street.
Tenders for the construction contract are expected to take place before Christmas, with construction expected to begin in 2020.
Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the site will be transformed into a pedestrian plaza with upgraded seating, better lighting, new bluestone paving, drainage improvements and additional trees.
“These upgrades will more than double the amount of pedestrian space and improve access to key public transport interchanges at Flinders Street Station and the Elizabeth Street tram terminus,” Capp said.
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“Up to 10,000 people cross the Elizabeth Street and Flinders Street intersection every hour during the morning peak, making it one of our busiest pedestrian intersections.”
Deputy Chair of the Major Projects portfolio Councillor, Nicholas Reece, said the assessment will involve a day of field investigations where contractors will obtain soil samples through three boreholes.
“The boreholes will be drilled within the eastern car parking lane along Elizabeth Street’s southbound roadway between Flinders Street and Flinders Lane,” Reece said.
“They will provide us with vital information on ground conditions in the area and inform planning for the next stage of the Elizabeth Street south improvement works.”
Works will take one day, with machinery occupying parking bays, with no impact to southbound traffic along the street.
The road will be temporarily reinstated with asphalt after the borehole works are complete.