The Andrews Labor Government is carrying out major works on Route 86 along Plenty Road to deliver a smoother and more reliable ride for passengers.

Yarra Trams will carry out more than $3 million worth of work from Saturday 21 March until Monday 30 March, with crews working around the clock to replace more than a kilometre of double track.

The works will also include installing 15 new power poles as well as underground cables and overhead wires along one of Melbourne’s busiest tram corridors.

Major work will take place on Plenty Road between the Metropolitan Ring Road, Bundoora and Bell Street, Preston and will result in significant disruptions to traffic and tram services in the area.

Passengers on Route 86 are advised to plan ahead as buses will replace trams between Miller/High Streets in Thornbury and the Bundoora terminus.

Trams will continue to run between Docklands and Miller/High Streets as normal, however the works are expected to add an additional 30 minutes travel time to those travelling north of Thornbury.

As crews work to replace sections of tram track within the road, Plenty Road will be closed to traffic in both directions between Pender Street and Bell Street, Preston from Saturday 21 until 5am Monday 30 March with the intersection at Murray Road closed to traffic from Saturday 21 and reopen Tuesday-24 March at 5am.

One lane will be closed to traffic in both directions between the Metropolitan Ring Road and Kingsbury Drive from Saturday 28 March and will reopen on Monday 30 March.

Motorists are asked to obey traffic management and signage in the area. High Street is a good alternative to Plenty Road. During the works stops for bus routes 527 and 903 along Plenty Road will be temporarily relocated.

Businesses along Plenty Road will remain open during the works, and everyone is encouraged to continue to support them as normal.

The Labor Government’s massive transport infrastructure blitz continues over the Autumn months with work also taking place on level crossing removals, major road works and other public transport maintenance.

For more information about these works and the associated disruptions, visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au. Plan ahead by visiting www.ptv.vic.gov.au  or www.vicroads.vic.gov.au.