Final designs have been approved for the new bike and pedestrian trail being constructed along the Eastern Freeway from Fairfield to East Kew.
The Urban Design and Landscape Plan for the Eastern Freeway Upgrades from Hoddle Street to Burke Road has been signed off by the government this month, allowing construction the begin in earnest.
Modifications include realignments of the route, additional rider facilities and improvements to revegetation plans.
The trail, part of the North East Link Project that incorporates upgrading the freeway and adding a new busway, will incorporate 4.7km of new and upgraded walking and cycling connections.
While work is already underway on other elements of the Hoddle to Burke stage of the project, the Urban Design and Landscape Plan component is required to go out to consultation before designs can be signed off.
The final Urban Design and Landscape Plan bow includes:
- A better route for the new walking and cycling path at Yarra Bend Park
Moved south to avoid the Westfield Grasslands and increase the amount of brightness from freeway lighting for safety at night.
- An improved connection with the Main Yarra Trail
A simpler, easier-to-use T-intersection with clear path markings and signs.
- More separation between the new cycle path and re-built River Circuit walking trail near Fairlea Ovals
The new cycle path will be built further south to increase the amount of space between the two paths and keep more existing trees in between. The River Circuit Trail will also be moved slightly further south than its existing location for more space between the trail and the sports ovals and casting pool.
- Improved locations for rest nodes, and an extra stop at Yarra Bend Park
Working closely with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elders to design places for pedestrians and cyclists to stop, sit, rest and connect with Country. Four nodes will now be located along the new path at Yarra Bend Park, including a larger rest stop near the Main Yarra Trail. A fifth node will be located along the River Circuit Trail near the Yarra River.
- Buffer planting for the Main Yarra Trail along the Eastern Freeway
Where there is space between the trail and new safety barriers, low-lying planting has been added along a 290m section on the approach to Burke Road. Investigating replacing the safety barriers and fence between the Main Yarra Trail and the busway lanes with a wall. A fence is a better design outcome as it allows light, keeps an open feeling for people using the path and reduces surfaces that could attract graffiti.
For public transport users, 6km of dedicated bus lanes will complete the final stage of the new 11km Eastern Busway, with access for local bus routes at Chandler Highway.
For drivers, the Hoddle Street to Burke Road section of the freeway upgrades will deliver an additional freeway lane in each direction between Chandler Highway and Burke Road, ramp upgrades to help ease congestion around the Chandler Highway interchange, and smart traffic management technology to improve traffic flow for smoother trips.
Full information on the final Urban Design and Landscape Plan can be found here.
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