The elevated cycle path or veloway from Footscray to the city has hit the halfway mark with a long stretch of the path now connected.
The path is set to open next year and those who’ve had a sneak peak inside have remarked on how spacious it is, with ample width, depth, distance, height and a view into the distance that seems endless.
The semi-transparent electric-green walls are said to provide a great view over the Port of Melbourne outside, while also orientating and locating riders to their geographic position.
The assembled section is complete structurally, but work is ongoing to connect drainage and services, and to fit panels to gaps being used for access.
The stainless-steel mesh covering at the top, and the anti-slip coating on the floor are still to come.
Work on lifting and suspending the remaining panels has moved towards the city end, and will cross the traffic lanes below, requiring closures of Footscray Road to traffic.
Once those works are complete, construction workers will return to the Footscray end and begin assembling slightly longer segments required for alignment in that zone.
Bicycle Network chief executive Alison McCormack recently inspected the veloway and described the experience as “incredible”.
“I never imagined it would be this attractive”, Ms McCormack said.
“Despite being enclosed, it has the full-on care-free feeling that bike riders love. I think riders in the west will find riding this route irresistible – it will be like a magnet pulling them to and from the city each day.”
