Riders will welcome recent improved connections added to the rail trail to Belgrave from Ringwood, and more improvements are on the way.
Yarra Ranges shire has completed works through Upwey and, in a separate project, the Department of Transport and Planning is upgrading the crossing where the Heathmont Trail section meets Canterbury Road.
The route has always had great potential as a special experience for riders wanting to escape the suburbs for the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges.
It involves climbing, but is mostly gentle gradients, and you can always take the train up and ride down, taking in Tecoma, Upwey, Upper Ferntree Gully, Boronia, Bayswater, Heathmont and Ringwood along the way.
The route connects to the Dandenong Creek and Eastlink Trails, enabling exploration for long distances through the east and across to the south of Melbourne.
At Upper Ferntree Gully Road riders can carve off and take on the climb up the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, while others may choose to sample a journey on another mode of travel via Puffing Billy.
And there are some great hikes if you bring along walking shoes.
The current connection through Upper Ferntree Gully is a mess and authorities are working on a solution.
The remaining disconnect along the trail is in Boronia, where there is no defined link between where the trail enters the station precinct and where it continues (across Dorset and Boronia Roads) towards Ferntree Gully.
But now, with plans for a modest station upgrade at Boronia there is an opportunity to finally sort out the missing link.
The Level Crossings Removal Project will develop a new plaza adjacent to the trail designed to make moving between the station and Boronia’s Dorset Road shopping precinct be easier and safer.
The new plaza will include plants, seating and lighting to revitalise the area and create an inviting public space.
It will connect directly to new pedestrian traffic lights for safe and convenient travel across Dorset Road.
Upgrading and relocating the station’s ticket office and Protective Services office to the entry will allow the station concourse to be widened and improve local access over the rail line.
The project will also deliver accessibility upgrades at the station and improvements to Lupton Way. Safety in the area will be improved with increased station lighting and additional CCTV.
However, there is no mention of any trail connection.
Under the Transport Integration Act all modes are required to be considered in projects such as this.
As the project is now out for public consultation, it is a good opportunity to ensure the project team know about their obligations.
https://engage.vic.gov.au/boronia-station-upgrade
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