The federal government has announced funding for a desperately needed bike connection through Ravenhall, Caroline Springs and Burnside in Melbourne’s outer north-west.
The route is along the busy and fast arterial that connects the suburbs to Ballarat Road and the Western Highway.
Three kilometres of shared path will be constructed along the east side of Westwood Drive between Rockbank Middle Road and Quinn Street.
Westwood Drive is a wide boulevard-style road, with ample space provided behind the kerb for an off-road path.
There is barely adequate provision for bikes on the road through the residential section, but the commercial and industrial areas have nothing.
The $1.15 million in funding from the Australian Government’s Active Transport Fund will be supplemented by $1.1 million from the City of Melton.
The link will provide a safe alternative for residents to travel to work, school, public transport, shops, sporting and community facilities, and help to alleviate congestion on the roads.
In addition, both sides of the Caroline Springs Boulevard and Gourlay Road corridor will see improved safety with the installation of new shared use crossings and the modification of existing zebra crossings to shared use.
This will allow people walking and riding to safely travel along the 8.5km stretch and connect to Caroline Springs station, schools, shops, and sport and community facilities.
The designs for both projects will be undertaken in the financial year 2025–26, with construction expected to start in 2026–27.
City of Melton Mayor, Steve Abboushi, thanked the Australian Government for the $2.1 million active transport funding.
"Strong partnerships, like this, enable the council to deliver quality infrastructure for our residents,” he said.
“This will help reduce reliance on cars and give residents the option to walk or cycle to schools, shops, work, and more, and improve their health and wellbeing while doing so.”
Or become our friend and subscribe to receive our fortnightly newsletter.