Work is starting on construction of a major drain to Port Phillip Bay in Elwood that will have a presence at bike routes along both the Bay Trail and Beach Road.
The huge drain will stretch some 660 metres from Elsternwick Park to Elwood Pier, supplementing the existing Elwood Main Drain.
It will address capacity constraints of the existing drain and divert floodwaters from the Elster Creek.
The project will cut across both the Bay Trail along the Elwood Foreshore and the parallel road bike route on Ormond Esplanade.
The first of those disruptions will begin during August. See notice below.
Bicycle Network has held discussions with Melbourne Water and contractors to assist in reducing the impacts of the works and addressing potential safety issues with truck traffic.
The project will involve the transportation of significant volumes of concrete channelling to the site via an entrance on the Esplanade.
There will be path and road closures with detours at times over the next two years while the project is underway.
Site activities get underway in the first week of August 2026, including fencing, vehicle access and project offices and worker facilities, including off-street car spaces within the site for the workforce.
These works will take approximately two months.
The first stage of tree and vegetation removal will also take place in early August. Further stages of tree removal will be undertaken prior to works commencing in each area.
After the works are complete, vegetation will be replanted and any disturbed areas restored.
Utility relocations, including gas, water, power and telecommunications, began in March 2026 and will continue through to November 2026.
Works will be undertaken during normal construction hours, 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 7am to 1pm Saturdays.
There will be changes to traffic on Ormond Esplanade while a new truck entry into Elwood Park site is constructed, with the northbound slow lane closed during off-peak times over a two-week period.
Riders on Saturday mornings should normally not be impacted, but weather and other contingencies could result in Saturday morning works with lanes closures, so riders need to remain observant.
Once complete, trucks will only turn left in and out of the site to help reduce traffic impacts on Ormond Esplanade. This will be in place for the duration of the project.
Light vehicles (including staff cars) will use Head Street to access the site.
As the project progresses Bicycle Network will provide updates on any closures or detours to bike routes.
Elwood disruptions in August
Site investigations will be underway across a number of sites this month, with temporary traffic management for riders.
Site investigations on St Kilda Street are planned for Monday 10 August to Wednesday 12 August between 9.30am and 3.30pm.
On Monday 10 August contractors will temporarily close the northbound slow lane from the Ormond Esplanade intersection to 429 St Kilda Street.
On Tuesday 11 August, both inside lanes (northbound and southbound) will be temporarily closed. Please follow the direction of traffic management to safely guide you around the works area.
On Wednesday 12 August, contractors will temporarily close the southbound slow lane from Elsternwick Park to the Ormond Esplanade intersection.
Site investigations on Ormond Esplanade are planned for Thursday 13 August between 9.30am and 3.30pm.
A northbound slow lane closure will be required near the intersection of St Kilda Street. Please follow the directions of traffic management to safely guide you around the works area.
There will be site investigations at the Elwood foreshore at Head Street from Friday 14 August to Monday 17 August, 8.30am to 3.30pm.
On Friday 14 August the pedestrian path will be temporarily closed near the Elwood Pier with pedestrians diverted to the Bay Trail.
On Monday 17 August contractors will temporarily close the Bay Trail near the Elwood Pier. Pedestrians and bike riders will be diverted to the pedestrian path.
Contractors will need to temporarily close the Head Street roundabout and approximately three on-street car spaces and 10 car spaces in the council carpark.
The footpath that connects Head Street to the Bay Trail will be temporarily closed.
Head Street will be for local traffic only for the duration of these works.
Traffic management will be in place to safely guide you around the works area.
Or become our friend and subscribe to receive our fortnightly newsletter.