IIRC, that stretch of track was replaced, and the third track installed,
shortly before I inspected it during a stopover in Melbourne on the way
back from the 2008 COTMA conference in Launceston. It was the first to be
laid with the new design of concrete up to the sleeper tops and compacted
fill and asphalt to the rail head. This was meant to be to make rail
replacement easier and quicker. I look forward to learning how that
intention works in practice – I didn't expect replacement to happen so
quickly!.

Brent Efford – wannabe tram track designer

On Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 8:42:45 PM UTC+12 Mal Rowe wrote:

> On 19/06/2021 16:56, Bill Johnson wrote:

> > I've probably got a chip on my shoulder (a big one) but I had urged the

> third track for years -- as in 30 with a succession of Transport Ministers

> only one of whom replied and thought it posssibly a good idea. I forget

> when TDU began but the suggestion didn't go well at first but later on

> shortly before it actually happened there was a degree of support.

>

> There are two pieces of third track near the Arts Centre. The one in my

> pic is the 'escape track' mainly used to dump defective trams until

> after the peak.

>

> The other (which I think is what you refer to) separates route 1 trams

> turning into Southbank Bvd from the rest of the St Kilda Rd trams - so

> they don't miss a traffic light cycle.

>

> In the attached pic, 2115 is using that track.

>

> Yes - a good suggestion on your part .... eventually implemented, but

> probably with someone else taking credit!

>

> This second one is not in too bad condition - so I will be interested to

> see if it is replaced.

>

> Re Geoffrey's question - don't know about changes but I assume they will

> be minor. Better curves to the points would be a good start.

>

> Mal Rowe - armchair expert

>

>