Daytime Testing of Newcastle Light Rail Begins

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A flash of red was seen darting around Hunter street this morning, with the first daytime test of Newcastle's light rail taking place.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance visited the CBD to witness the milestone, inspecting the depot and control centre before jumping aboard with engineers for a ride to Queens Wharf.

Minister Constance says he's fully confident Novocastrians will embrace the trams.

"Anybody who thinks Hunter Street is not going to come to life now because of public transport is wrong," he says, "we will see an uplift in values, we will see a restoration of confidence...I particarly want to pay tribute to the small business community who've done it particularly tough through construction, but look at it now."

The Transport Minister confirmed light rail services will be up and running sometime in February 2019.

Newcastle's first light rail vehicle has been put through its paces already, driven more than 500 kilometres by engineers testing braking and onboard energy storage.

Commuters will be able to pay for their trip via Opal card, credit or debit card as well as Apple Watches and smartphones.

Minister Constance says the state government is offering affordable fees.

"Can I also say to the people of Newcastle that you can get a 20 cent trip on the tram. We introduced the $2 transfer discount, it means people can catch a bus or the heavy rail to Wickham, then jump on a tram and enjoy the benefits of a 20 cent trip."

The next two light rail vehicles are expected to arrive in the next week as final testing goes ahead.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance in Newcastle. 

Hunter Street To Reopen To Traffic Tonight As Light Rail Project Wraps Up

BY IAN CROUCH

The construction of Newcastle's light rail network has finished, with cars able to drive down the entire length of Hunter Street from tonight.

The fences are coming down on the final section between Merewether and Telford Streets.

It's the culmination of 12 months of work which included a major upgrade of the sewer and drainage system, new footpaths and access points to the harbour.

Testing is set to begin in coming weeks ahead of the network's official opening early next year.

It comes in time for tomorrow's re-opening of the restored Newcastle Station, with a free public event to mark the occasion.

More than 3000 people have worked on the Light Rail project.

These Hunter Street Barriers Are About To Come Down Picture: therherald.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

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

Former Train Station Overhaul Announced

BY OLIVIA PORTELL

The site of Newcastle's former train station is set to reopen this June, with plans launched for it's upcoming overhaul.

Renamed as 'The Station', the site will be temporarily activated by Renew Newcastle over an eighteen month period in an attempt to trial ideas and plans for future use.

The Hunter Development Corporation is working in cooperation with a local designer to style the space, drawing inspiration from its architectural heritage- including an outline of the historic Eastern Pavillion that addresses Scott Street.

The temporary operation will help to determine what the public wants out of the former station, as the first step in a permanent re-purposing of the space.