The project to introduce separated bike lanes along Macaulay Road in Kensington will be underway within days.
The long-planned upgrade will greatly improve east–west access to riders in inner Melbourne.
The road has had conventional bike lanes for an extended period, but as in many of Melbourne’s old streets where car-parking invaded the space originally for travel, it was not always comfortable and risk was ever-present.
The redesign received overwhelming support during the 2023 community consultation.
The project is expected to be completed around mid-year.
The new lanes stretch 700 metres in each direction from Eastwood Street to Boundary Road.
Key elements of the project are:
- a realigned roadway, with the bike lanes sitting next to the footpath separated from traffic by concrete kerbs and parking bays
- new line markings and green surface treatment so that the bike lanes are easier to see
- a consistent 40km/h speed limit
- improved signals at intersections to keep traffic moving
- retention of 29 car parking bays, with 36 bays removed.
At the ancient bridge over the Moonee Ponds Creek, a notorious narrow pinch point, the City of Melbourne has opted for a shadow treatment where bikes will share the traffic lane.
Work will be underway 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday with some night and weekend work.
There will be bike and car access along the road during construction.
Works continuing the separated bike lanes from Boundary Road to Arden Street are expected to start in financial year 2026–27.
The City of Melbourne has been fortunate to have the Macaulay Road project co-funded by the Department of Transport and Planning's Transport Amenity Program, which will enable the council to redeploy vitally needed funding to other bike projects in its strategy.
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