Sunshine Station will transform into a major transport hub with the advent of Airport Rail by the end of the decade, but how will the neighbouring shopping, services and residential centres integrate with this potentially isolated hub?
Better active transport connections have been identified as essential to the solution in the recently released Sunshine Precinct Masterplan.
And number one in the list of six priority projects to rejuvenate the precinct is the Sunshine Spurline — transformation of the northern traffic lane of Hampshire Road Bridge in to a new route for walking and cycling.
The Hampshire Road Bridge over the rail line was built in 1961 when the level crossing was removed, but the structure never had any footpaths or provision for bike riders and has proved a major impediment to getting people to and through the station precinct.
It can’t be removed, however, because it is essential to bus operations.
But it can be modified: the Spurline envisages replacing the traffic lanes on the northern spur with facilities for bikes and and pedestrians.
According to the masterplan, it has the potential to be something of an icon for Sunshine, with its sweeping curve connecting the high street through to Sun Crescent.
"The spurline fills a key missing link in the active transport network and provides an important connection over the barrier of the rail line.
"It makes walking and cycling possible on a direct route, linking both sides of Sunshine and reduces the demand and reliance of having to use the northern concourse of Sunshine Station to cross the railway tracks.
The spurline connects the Hampshire Road corridor south of the bridge with the Hampshire Road main street further north. It also connects with the St Albans Rail Trail/ Sunshine Footscray Trail Strategic Cycling Corridor, greatly improving strategic links to important destinations.
"The repurposed bridge provides a safe, low-stress cycling and walking environment."
To ensure the spurline is as accessible and inviting as possible, the two traffic dominated roundabouts at either end are redesigned to make it easier to cross, increase footpath width and slow traffic.
The other five initiatives in the $143 million first phase include:
- New integrated bus interchange – developing a new bus interchange to the east of the train station with direct and safe access to the train station, acting like an additional platform
- People-focused streets and junctions – helping to make walking and cycling safer, easier and more attractive with direct routes to the superhub
- New station entrances – helping to ensure a more accessible and attractive superhub and improve wayfinding, with clear sight lines from surrounding streets
- Trees and greening – helping green Sunshine with more tree canopy cover, improving biodiversity and helping create shaded streets and spaces
- New public open space – a new, spacious green public open space helping link the superhub with the centre of Sunshine, activated and made safe by new development on the current interchange site.
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