Newcastle Tram Back In Service After Breakdown

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle's light rail has run into trouble just 4 days after trams began running on the network.

A tram broke down at the Newcastle Beach stop yesterday afternoon, forcing Keolis Downer to deploy a back-up vehicle.

It's understood the tram experienced a technical hitch with its pantograph, which raises up and down to draw power from an overhead charge bar.

Repairs were carried out on site with tram back in service last night.

Keolis Downer says there were no delays to services as a result of the breakdown.

The Broken Down Tram Yesterday  Picture theherald.com.au

Hunter Street Set To Reopen Following Light Rail Construction

BY IAN CROUCH

It's hoped businesses in Hunter Street Newcastle affected by the light rail construction will be able to get back to normal trade by the end of the month.

A 700 metre stretch of Hunter Street between Darby and Union Streets is due to reopen to traffic and pedestrians by July 24 as work on the light rail construction wraps up.

Worth Place will also be permanently open, linking Hunter Street and Honeysuckle Drive.

And, in a welcome move for CBD businesses, more than 100 parking spaces will also returned.

Hunter Street Newcastle Looking East From NeW Space

Newcastle Light Rail Construction Claims Another Victim

BY IAN CROUCH

The Light Rail construction in the CBD is being blamed for the closure of another Newcastle business.

The owners of the Tuff N Up Boxing Gym in Beresford Street, Newcastle West have posted a photo of a notice of Facebook advising customers they've been forced to close after 20 years.

Owner, Peter Hallett has told NBN News the loss of parking has caused a 70 percent drop in business.

"We've decided we've had to call it a day because it's just no longer financially viable due to the parking and the construction that's going on," he said.

Stewart Avenue No Go This Weekend

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle's Stewart Avenue will remain closed this weekend as work continues on the light rail project.

The busy arterial road is closed between Hunter Street and Honeysuckle Drive, with crews working around the clock to lay the light rail track across the road linking the Newcastle Interchange.

The closure will remain in place until 5.00am on Monday.

In the meantime, detours will be in place to divert traffic via Hunter Street and Albert Street at Wickham, while traffic will still be able access Honeysuckle Drive from Hannell Street and local access to Beresford Street via Bellevue Street will be maintained with traffic control measures in place.

Revitalising Newcastle says Stewart Avenue will also be closed from 7.00pm on Thursday 7 June until Tuesday 5 June and again from 7.00pm on Friday 15 June until 5.00am on Monday 18 June to allow work on the light rail to continue.

Stewart Avenue Closed This Weekend Picture: theherald.com.au

Newcastle's Light Rail Project Goes Underground

BY IAN CROUCH

Underground drilling is under way as part of major upgrades to sewer lines along the light rail route in Newcastle.

Although it's considered the riskiest part of the project, the work is needed to pump out water and reinforce the line.

New sewer pipes will also be installed as part of the upgrade over the next few months.

Meanwhile, sections of the light rail track can now be seen in parts of the city, with the stations also starting to take shape.

The Exit Point Of Underground Boring In Hunter Street. Picture: theherald.com.au