Concept

A high-capacity automated monorail from Highpoint to the City as part of the Melbourne Skyrail proposal.

(This monorail could be extended to Melbourne Airport via Avondale and Keilor East as an alternative to the Essendon route.)

Daegu Monorail, South Korea
Art rendering of the new Daegu Monorail, South Korea (image reversed). This could be Melbourne. (Original Image: Daegu Blog)

  • Trains every three minutes: Adding a new link to the heart of Melbourne.
  • East-West Connector: This monorail connects to the City - Doncaster Monorail.
  • Airport - Chadstone Connector: This monorail is connects to the Airport and Chadstone monorails at Southern Cross Station.
  • High-Capacity Transit to the city: This monorail links Highpoint to the CBD.

[Top]

Cost

Our current cost range estimate is between $450 million for all monorail components. This estimate is to be further refined by ongoing analysis.

Resident Benefits

Home-owners near the monorail line receive the following benefits depending on their proximity to the monorail track:

  • Removal of overhead power and other wires which are to be relocated underground.
  • A daily payment during construction of the monorail outside their properties.
  • A monthly payment for the life of the monorail system related to ticket sales for residential property within 20 meters of the track. This is anticipated to be between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars per annum depending on proximity to the track.
  • A vegetated tree-way under the monorail track and extra trees along the sides of the street where possible.
  • Extra public transport in their area.

[Top]

Approximate Route

The approximate route of the proposed Highpoint - City Monorail is shown below. Click into the map to zoom in on particular segments.


View Highpoint - City Monorail in a larger map
Approximate route of the 9 km Highpoint - City Monorail (with possible 14 km Melbourne Airport extension shown as well).

Note that the this could also be another alternative route to the airport if the monorail was extended up Canning Street and Milleara Road.

[Top]

Destinations and Connections

  • Highpoint Shopping Centre: This station provided service to the shopping centre and the Homemaker Centre.
  • Footscray: Servicing Victoria University, Footscray and Flemington Racecourse.
    • Daegu Monorail, South Korea
    Art rendering of the new Daegu Monorail, South Korea. A shorter version of this bridge could take the monorail across the Maribyrnong River or the Yarra. (Original Image: Daegu Blog)
  • South Kensington: Allows rail travellers from the west to transfer to the monorail here instead of going through the loop to Southern Cross.
  • Melbourne Star Station: For a suitable contribution to overall costs a station could be added here although it is quite close to Southern Cross Station.
  • Southern Cross Station: The monorail station would be adjacent to Southern Cross station over Wurundjeri Way with access to Bourke Street and Collins Street.
  • Southbank Extension: This monorail could be extended to the Melbourne Exhibition Centre and Crown Casino if desired.
Track example (Bombardier)
Art rendering of monorail track suitable for Australian cities.
(The original Image was for the new monorail in São Paulo, Brazil: Skyscraper City)

[Top]

Travel Times

The high-capacity monorails under consideration have a maximum operating speed of 80 km/h. Assuming 10-second dwell times* at the stations the following travel times are likely:

  • Highpoint - Southern Cross: About 9 minutes (~9 km).

(*Similar to dwell time for trains and flat-floor trams.)

Capacity

Monorail capacity is discussed here.

[Top]