The following is from the latest Bicycle Network issue on 9 APRIL 2020. It is reprinted with permission.
The new bike and pedestrian bridge on the Federation Trail at Laverton North is now soaring over Dohertys Road as workers race to welcome the first riders on the completed structure around the middle of the year.
The 140 metre span will remove the crude ground level crossing, increasing the
safety and attractiveness of the trail to riders. The project also improves local access for recreational
riders and commuters with connections to local path networks.
The structure is one of three overpasses being installed along the trail as
part of the State Government $1.8b Western Roads Upgrade.
The other two are already underway: a 220 metres bridge at Palmers Road and
Sayers Road intersection in Williams Landing, and an overpass of Leakes Road
near Interchange Drive, Truganina.
The 4 metre-wide contemporary design bridge is constructed from coloured steel
and concrete will be further complemented by new landscaping.
The trail remains open during construction, with minor detours around the work
sites.
Following construction of the bridges a 20 year contract will be in place for
general maintenance activities on the Federation Trail, including pavement
rectification and rubbish and graffiti removal.
Riders will also benefit from more than 50 kilometres of shared user paths
being built or upgraded alongside the arterial roads being widened as part of
the broader Western Roads Upgrade.
Separately, another program is underway to incrementally ‘green’ the route with
trees and shrubs, and community facilities.
The developments should see more people making use of the 23 kilometre trail
which follows the heritage-listed Main Outfall Sewer from Brooklyn to
Werribee. Especially once the trail is
completely connected through to inner Melbourne, a task being undertaken as
part of their West Gate Tunnel Project.
