UPDATE: The west’s main cycling link with the city will be upgraded following a state government announcement of $650,000 to improve Footscray’s notorious Shepherd Bridge.
Years of lobbying by cyclists and western suburbs MPs has paid off with a decision to widen the 1.6-metre shared pathway to 3.5 metres.
The path will also be resurfaced and street lights that have formed a hazard on the path will be relocated.
Roads Minister Terry Mulder announced on Friday that works would begin in the coming weeks, making a safer trip for the 1100 cyclists travelling the route between Melbourne’s west and the CBD each weekday.
“Cycling has become a fast-growing trend in the west, with Shepherd Bridge an essential component of this region’s bicycle network,” he said.
“One of our top priorities is to support this by investing in a safer shared user path,” Mr Mulder said.”
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He said widening the shared path on the south side of the bridge to 3.5 metres would provide extra space for passing cyclists and pedestrians and reduce the risk of collisions with the 40,000 vehicles crossing the bridge each weekday.
He said there would be further cycling improvements in Footscray and an extension of the Federation Trail to Yarraville.
Western suburbs Liberal MP Andrew Elsbury said it was more great news for people in Melbourne’s west.
“This announcement builds on the Victorian Coalition government’s transport projects in Melbourne’s west, including the western section of East West Link, the removal of level crossings in St Albans and Sunshine, Regional Rail Link and the Federation Trail extension.”
Greens MP Colleen Hartland, who has campaigned for the works to be carried out, said it was fantastic to see the most dangerous bike blackspot in the west being made safer.
“It has taken two years of hard work by hundreds of community members as part of the Bike West community campaign,” she said.
“Today we’ll be celebrating, but with so much more to do in the west we’ll be continuing to advocate for bike riders in the west.
Works are expected to be completed late this year.
