The stop, in the shadow of the former Civic rail station, has its structural steel built in the Hunter. It was assembled off-site and trucked into position, with a 55-tonne road crane lifting the 6.5 tonne roof canopy into place. 

The installation took about four hours, and makes the area the most complete section of the new light rail route so far. 

The stop leads Honeysuckle, Crown Street, Market Street and Pacific Park as the first to come together.

Revitalising Newcastle program director Michael Cassel said Civic was taking shape as a central plaza for the city. 

“Civic gives one of the most striking examples of Newcastle’s change over the past decade, and is very quickly turning into a place that is energised by people and new developments, such as the University’s NeW Space and law courts,” he said. 

“Revitalising Newcastle is taking advantage of Civic’s location as the geographical heart of the city to enhance north-south connectivity through the city.

“Our vision for the precinct is taking shape, with new widened footpaths, completed track with traffic on the road, and now the first of our light rail stops, which will soon be the primary jumping-off point for the Civic Theatre and the University, Newcastle Museum and the Art Gallery, and cafés, restaurants and bars from Darby Street right through to Honeysuckle.

Mr Cassel said work was on track to have trams out for testing this year. Light rail is expected to be operational in early 2019. 

The ongoing works include a third and final scheduled closure of Stewart Avenue from 7pm Friday between the Honeysuckle drive turn-off and Hunter Street. It is slated to reopen 5am Monday.