City of Yarra contractors have begun preparations for installing a substandard bike lane on Elizabeth Street in Richmond.
It is part of a council project to increase car parking in an area where surveys have shown there is already too much unused car parking.
To squeeze the new redundant parking in, the council has opted for a too-narrow bike lane configuration that does not satisfy national, state or local guidelines for such infrastructure.
The route is a designated Strategic Cycling Corridor that Yarra City and the state government previously agreed would be developed as the major east–west bike route through the suburb.
Mayor Stephen Jolly had the support of the majority of councillors in rejecting the technically compliant designs for the street by Yarra City’s own transport specialists, who over decades have pioneered a local network of low-risk, popular bike routes across the municipality.
Because there are no changes to the traffic signal operation in the council-owned street, the Department of Transport and Planning was unable to intervene.
Work currently underway is a previously planned resurfacing of the decrepit street for several blocks, requiring the removal of the existing bike lane.
Work to install the new deficient lanes will occur after Easter.
For the current works variable message sign boards are on site now at Elizabeth and Hoddle, Elizabeth and Church, and on Lennox Street (south and north of the intersection).
Resurfacing is planned for nights in the last week of March: Wednesday 25th, Thursday 27th, Sunday 29th and Monday 30th.
Line-marking is planned to be undertaken at the same time as resurfacing.
On the night of Tuesday 31st, speed bumps will be constructed.
After Easter bike bollards will be installed during the day.
Works are expected to be completed before the end of April.
Or become our friend and subscribe to receive our fortnightly newsletter.