Newcastle Interchange To Open Ahead Of Schedule

BY IAN CROUCH

The state government says work on the Newcastle Interchange at Wickham is ahead of schedule, with trains to start running from October 15 instead of November.

The Stewart Avenue transport hub will officially open on October 16, however the first train will leave the interchange at 1.44am on Sunday October 15, bound for Fassifern.

Empty trains will start running along the line from Hamilton in coming weeks as part of final testing.

Newcastle Interchange To Open In October

More road closures in Newcastle's CBD

BY JESSICA ROUSE

It could be a short-term headache for Newcastle drivers with part of Stewart Avenue closed for light rail preparation works this weekend.

The road between Hunter Street and Honeysuckle Drive will be closed from 7pm tonight until 5am on Monday.

There will be closures again the following weekend - Friday 25th to Monday 28th August - between the same times.

There will be diversions in place via Parry Street, Hunter Street and Albert Street at Wickham.

It doesn't stop there, there'll be single lane closures from 7pm Friday 1st September to 5am Monday 4th September - weather permitting.

It's all a part of the $500 million the NSW Government is investing through the Revitalising Newcastle program.

Wickham Interchange Could Lead To Traffic Gridlock: Expert

BY IAN CROUCH

Novocastrians are being assured there won't be a return to traffic gridlock on Stewart Avenue once the Wickham Interchange starts operating.

Traffic Engineer, Ron Brown has told the Herald there's been no information on how potential conflicts between pedestrians, cars and light rail vehicles will be managed.

However, Revitalising Newcastle Project Director, Michael Cassel says the impact on surrounding intersections will be minimal because light rail movements are faster than heavy rail and don't require boom gates.

He also says the light rail moves in synchronisation with traffic lights.

The Newcastle Interchange At Wickham

Changes to Light Rail Plans through Newcastle

BY BRIDGET GUNN

The NSW Government has announced changes to the plans for the Newcastle Light Rail to reflect suggestions made by the public.

These changes will include shifting from a raised track design to a track flush with the road, changes to the alignment at Worth Place and adding a second track at Stewart Avenue.

Newcastle MP Tim Crackanthorp says that although these changes will be an improvement for the Light Rail plans, the plans still require a number of changes.

"The Government needs to listen to Council, and their particular desire for mixed running into the city  for cyclists and pedestrians into the city otherwise there will be no parking down Hunter Street, and we will see a lot of businesses go under."

The planned track for the Light Rail through Newcastle
Source: The Conversation