The frequently flooded section of the Federation Trail was officially reopened yesterday by the Department of Transport and Planning following an Environment Protection Authority investigation.
The maintenance contractors have removed signage and checked the safety of the path at Laverton North near the M80 Freeway Underpass.
Riders can expect great riding on the Federation Trail this holiday season – barring a Biblical deluge – as the route now connects all the way through Brooklyn along the West Gate Freeway and over the new ramps and bridges at Williamstown Road to connect with the Bay Trail at Hyde Street on the Yarra River.
The flooding has been attributed to several causes: a burst underground fire service, now rectified by Greater Western Water, wastewater released from a nearby factory and the contribution from recent, increased precipitation.
There was no flooding of the trail at this location for many years, but more recently there have been three serious episodes.
There has been considerable development on industrial sites in the area in recent years, and there seems to have been an increasing degree of indifference, or negligence even, towards the trail and its users from the neighbours.
Riders expect the Department of Transport and Planning and the City of Wyndham to keep a watchful eye on the route and ensure its trouble-free operation.
Or become our friend and subscribe to receive our fortnightly newsletter.