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Brunswick shared zone steps out

The final layout of the shared zones designed to traffic-calm key road crossings on the busy John Street bike route in Brunswick East has been released.

After lengthy trials to test the concept, the City of Merri-bek has settled on designs for Victoria and Albert Streets on each side of Fleming Park.

Bold treatments of the shared zones by artist Giovanna DaSilva are a feature of the designs.

The city says the zones are designed to make these areas more accessible, correcting some of the issues that were affecting travellers.

“This will be achieved by keeping the footpath flat and creating wide ramps into the road space, where the ramps were previously cutting into an already narrow footpath," a council statement reads.

"These choices will make it easier for people to cross the road when walking, pushing a pram, or riding a bike or other wheeled mobility option, and improve the ease of simply walking along the footpath.”

Vehicles and people on bikes must give way to pedestrians in a shared zone. 

Both streets will remain two-way streets with full access for all vehicles.

Vehicles entering the shared zone, including bikes, will need to observe the 20km/h speed limit.

There appears to be a surfeit of bollards across the direction of bike movement in the concept designs, something that will need close scrutiny before final drawings are issued.

The public tender for construction is expected in November this year.

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