Underpass upgrades stall

Public Transport Victoria (PTV) has confirmed that physical works to restore the dilapidated underpass between Elizabeth St and the Northbank won’t take place as part of phase one of restoration works to Flinders Street Station.

The State Government announced on March 1 that construction company Built Pty Ltd had been awarded the contract to refurbish the station, with works to commence this month.

However, PTV media manager Adrian Darwent said that initial works to “fix the leaky roof, restore the crumbling façade and re-paint” the station, would not include the underpass.  

“Other works including passenger improvements such as reviewing entrances and re-tiling the subway will be determined by detailed design that is taking place this year,” he said.

“These works will commence after the design phase has been completed.”

While no further details were provided to explain the delay, Mr Darwent confirmed that it was expected that works would be included as part of phase two.

Long seen as the CBD’s gateway to Southbank, the Yarra River Business Association (YRBA) has been campaigning for the underpass to be restored, with the group’s president John Forman last year labeling it “a disgrace.”

YRBA executive officer Tim Bracher said both he and Mr Forman had been in negotiations with PTV on the issue to lobby for early upgrades to the underpass.

However, he said a lot hinged on the continuing discussions with Heritage Victoria.

Announced last year, the $100 million Flinders Street Station project is expected to be fully completed in 2018 and create 150 jobs over the course of construction.