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Bridge widened on busy bike route

Plenty Road from Bundoora to Whittlesea is a popular route for recreational riders who find the rideable shoulders comfortable and secure.

But there was a nasty problem: at the bridge over Barbers Creek between Merida and Yan Yean the shoulders disappeared, forcing riders to move into the high-speed traffic lane at the bridge, never a relaxing experience.

Now that risk is much less of a problem. Thanks to the diligence of the members of the Whittlesea Bicycle User Group the bridge now has shoulders.

Back in October the group became aware of a plan by Major Roads Projects Victoria to replace the aging bridge with a new, stronger structure.

But in a bewildering error, the plans showed the new bridge to be no wider than the old bridge, with no provision at all for bike riders who would still be forced to merge with high-speed traffic.

After the BUG drew attention to the hazardous oversight, MRPV rectified the shortcomings by widening the bridge crossing and fitting shoulders to the roadway.

This has greatly improved the situation for riders on Plenty Road, although speed limits are still too high for a road of this nature with the mix of riders and motor traffic.

There are a number of busy bike routes in Victoria where there are similar problematic bridges that force bikes into a high-speed traffic stream. Some of these will be scheduled for replacement in the future.

The Australian and Victorian Governments are currently investing in 10 other bridges and culvert structures around metropolitan Melbourne, funding works at Yan Yean, Woodstock, Mernda, Dandenong South and Tooradin.

The Structures Rehabilitation Package is scheduled to be complete by 2023.

Road management authorities are supposed to assess all such projects for risks to active transport modes, and take the opportunity for better safety outcomes where justified.

This opportunity on Plenty Road was almost missed, but thanks to the alertness and conscientious actions go the Whittlesea BUG, there was a good result in the end..

On this project the existing bridge deck was replaced by 16-metre-long precast re-enforced concrete planks placed on the existing abutments and piers. Sixty piles were required to construct off-structure safety barriers.

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