Shovels are piercing the ground as work to build the new bridge for bikes and pedestrians over the Yarra at Yarra Bend Park gets rolling.
The two-year project, part of the Eastern Freeway and Busway upgrade, is part of a new bike route to connect Melbourne’s eastern suburbs to the city.
Connecting to the Main Yarra Trail at Kew, the new trail will provide a quicker, more direct route for bike commuters and recreational riders.
The new structure is located between the Merri Creek and Yarra Boulevard, an environmentally sensitive area.
These initial activities over the next several months will including building construction access tracks, a temporary construction compound and hard area working platforms to support heavy machinery needed to build the new bridge.
The River Circuit Trail, primarily a walking track, will close between Yarra Bend Road and the Yarra River.
Signed detours will be in place to guide pedestrians and any adventurous riders around the work area and connect to surrounding paths, including the Main Yarra Trail and Merri Creek Trail.
Construction vehicles will primarily access the site from Yarra Bend Road, reducing impacts on local streets and park users. Limited access will also occur from the Eastern Freeway Ringwood-bound shoulder, behind traffic barriers, for specific activities close to the freeway.
Park users will notice fencing, site office facilities construction and trimming and removing selected trees and vegetation under the supervision of an arborist.
The project is taking numerous steps to protect wildlife and habitat along with erosion and sediment controls to protect the water quality of the Yarra River and riverbank stability.
Working times will be Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm, and Saturday 7am to 1pm. Some night works will be required for activities near the Eastern Freeway.
Construction timeline
Mid-2026
– Building construction vehicle access tracks
– Tree removal, excavation and earth works
– Closure of some trails in the works area
Late 2026
– Building foundations of the new walking and cycling bridge
2027
– Bridge beam installation
– Pouring bridge decks and installing barriers
– Bridge finishing works
– Upgrades to the River Circuit Trail
2028
– Pouring bridge decks and installing barriers
– Landscaping and replanting
– Project complete
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