Another instalment in my photos from ten years ago series – this time it is November 2009.
New infrastructure
Work on the new platform at Laverton was well underway, with tracks laid but not connected.
At Footscray station the new footbridge was starting to look real.
But the rickety old timber bridge was still in place.
While at North Melbourne the new concourse had finally opened, with both Metcard and myki ticket readers provided.
Allowing the old northern exit to be closed off.
With Connex staff on hand to direct any confused passengers.
The extension of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre had also wrapped up.
The new Seafarers Bridge was open to pedestrians.
And the wharf sheds at the Duke’s and Orr’s dry dock were being restored for use as a bar.
Changes around Geelong
I visited the Barrabool Hills, where the Geelong Ring Road climbs away from the Barwon River.
Back then it was empty paddocks.
But now it’s full of houses, occupied by people who commute to Melbourne.
I also went past the Ford casting plant at North Shore, where engine blocks for Ford cars were produced.
The plant closed in 2016 following Ford’s withdrawal from Australian manufacturing, and is currently being demolished.
And scenes that are gone
Remember when trams stopped at each intersection along Swanston Street, and you needed to climb up from road level?
Design work for platform stops at City Square, Bourke Street and the State Library commenced in 2010, with the new stops completed in 2012.
Southern Cross Station used to be a lot emptier.
As was the Docklands skyline to the west.
The station is now filled with shops, while I’ve lost track of all the buildings built in Docklands.
Over at ‘E’ Gate I found a much more industrial scene, where loaded steel wagons were being shunted.
Followed by a steel train bound for Hastings.
But now the entire area is an empty paddock: the yard closed in 2015 to make room for the ‘E’ Gate development, but will instead be covered with flyovers for the West Gate ‘Tunnel’ project.
I also headed out to West Footscray station.
This entire scene is now gone following the Regional Rail Link project, with the current West Footscray station opened in 2013.
The view in the other direction is also gone.
Every single house on the north side of Buckley Street was compulsorily acquired to make room for the additional tracks, and the footbridge I was standing on demolished and not replaced.
And around the corner was the Rising Sun Hotel.
Back then it was abandoned, but it has since been reborn – the pub was converted to apartments in 2012, with the mural peeking out from behind.
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