I think some people may find the information about closures split between Metro Planned Works and Transport Victoria to be a confusing way to approach so many closures.
This map only shows Sat-Sun day, not night-only works such as Geelong and Ballarat.
No doubt I missed something though, with so many. Point them out if I did.
(repost, had the wrong revision uploaded last time)
Before (image 1) and after (image 2): some very small changes I made to the local area map for Richmond Station for Richmond Tonight
Added:
Fixed:
Only some of these would be relevant as improvements to the main map. A number are just to serve the purpose of showing all live events in this corner of East Melbourne and Richmond (eg Corner Hotel).
I don't know enough about the sponsorship arrangements for AAMI Park and Kia Arena to know if it would be impossible to list them alongside their generic names on the official map – but if practical, I would. No visitor knows that Rectangular Stadium is AAMI Park. Even if it is called that on ABC and this map.
Same name for both stations (Southland), with colours, line name, and key destinations also used in wayfinding.
Avoid the debacle of State Library / Melbourne Central dual names which make journey planning and signage more complex than necessary.
For reference, this is similar to how Sydney and London would handle such an interchange.
All draft maps for SRL, as well as Sunshine Superhub / Airport Rail Stage 1 show an acute angle from the city to the airport, turning sharply at Sunshine.
(image on the left)
This leads to people assuming that a change is required at Sunshine, as no other line on the Victorian Rail Map turns this sharply.
Even though this is just a promo image – it's another example of the same design used. Making it seem like the decision to use this appearance feels settled.
My suggested alternative on the right, which I will is clearer for all.
(again, this is just a promo / mockup map – but the point to still stands when it comes to the real deal in the coming years)
The state budget lockup was the morning, and now the details are public. Most pre-announced, but one new item:
>Funding is provided to complete a final program business case to improve capacity on the Craigieburn, Upfield and Seymour (Wallan) rail corridors and improve access for Melbourne's north, including duplicating the Upfield Line.
The wording implies what has already been assumed-to-date; that works would combine multiple projects: Wallan electrification and Metro Services, Duplicating the Upfield Line and re-routing Seymour V/Line trains that way – meaning more capacity on the Craigieburn Line as well as the Upfield Line.
Crude line drawing by me, but others will have better versions. No details yet as this is only for the business case – which will likely recommend new stations as part of this.
Best-guess imagery, based on known plans at this stage. Won't be news to most people here, but for those not from the west trying to visualise what the appeal of electrification is, or where new stations may go – I find it helps to see what the outcome may be.
Image 1: Today – Melton is served only by regional V/Line trains. Busy, overcrowded, not suitable for what is effectively now a suburban area.
Image 2: Electrification of Melton Line and creation of Airport Line. Both plan to use the Metro Tunnel, becoming three branches of the same line.
Image 3: Potential additional stations along the route: Thornhill Park and Mt Atkinston proposed and supported by many locals. More to come on this during the planning and design phases.
All images are mockups by me, based on maps from the Department of Transport and Planning. Link to higher resolution maps here.
The old exit is still there, and a much better link to Arden than the new exit. I posted about this and some suggestions about why this couldn't be opened are:
Response: on checking old images, it was always a staff car park even when the primary and only exit. The layout (see images) would fit the same car parking and exit pathway as before.
Response: Stations with more exits and entrances than North Melbourne have validator poles, namely Huntingdale, Oakleigh and (now) Caulfield.
Response: The ramps are in active use for interchange, and no less compliant than most stations such as Richmond or South Yarra.
I covered it a bit more here, and overall I don't see a compelling reason not to do it other than "it would cost a modest amount of time and money".
Not only would it help leaving the station in morning peak (as some people could use their closer exit), it would provide a safe alternative to exit in the event of an issue, it provides a better link to Arden station and Arden precinct. And costs millions less than most other passenger improvements.
Mockups attached showing how it may look in 2027, if someone deemed it a priority open the gate and install the validator poles. This would of course be a secondary option, with the southern concourse remaining the most accessible exit for the majority.