The City of Melbourne has released draft designs for better bike lanes in Queensberry Street just north of the CBD as the thoroughfare is stripped of the now surplus traffic lanes that were added for the duration of Metro Tunnel Project.
Queensberry Street, east of Peel Street in North Melbourne as far as Rathdowne Street in Carlton, will be returned to one traffic lane in each direction, plus new separated kerbside bike lanes with the bikes separated from traffic by parked cars and operator islands with space for tree planting.
More than 60 new trees will be planted in a move to green and calm the street.
The street has long been a popular east-west bike route across Melbourne’s inner north but will be even more vital when Arden Station opens where Queensberry Street starts at Laurens Street in West Melbourne.
The lane provides links to the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail and to important north-south routes at Peel, Elizabeth, Swanston and Rathdowne streets.
It is also a vital connection for students and staff at Melbourne University and RMIT.
The east section of the street was temporarily converted to two traffic lanes each way in 2028 when parallel Grattan Street was closed for the construction of the Parkville Station on the understanding that it would be upgraded for bikes at the conclusion of the Metro Tunnel works.
Now that Grattan Street has reopened, planning and design for the upgrade is underway in advance of proposed construction next year.
You can have your say on City of Melbourne’s draft design, take a survey, ask questions, and talk to council staff at three pop up sessions. https://participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/queensberry-street-riding-lanes
Pop-up sessions:
- Exhibition Gardens: Saturday 13 July 2024 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
- Cnr Leicester and Queensberry Streets: Thursday 18 July 2024 03:00 pm to 05:30 pm
- Argyle Park: Wednesday 24 July 2024 03:00 pm to 05:30 pm
Full details and the concept plans are available at the project overview link.
Consultation closes on Thursday 8 August.
Pedestrian improvements include four new raised zebra pedestrian crossings between Peel Street and Leicester Street, helping people cross the road safely.
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