East: Yarra Trail

 Inner: Monash-CityLink-West Gate Upgrade

4 February 2010  A last minute project to strengthen the outer lane of the M1 freeway will block the main Yarra trail, Melbourne's major bike trail artery, for at least several weeks in March and April. SEE link in right hand column

Richmond Yarra Trail upgrade imminent

1 February 2010. The $1.2M upgrade to the Main Yarra Trail on the Yarra Boulevard in Richmond is about to get underway, requiring a diversion for riders for a three month period.

The project will upgrade about 2.5 kilometres of the trail, which at this location is old, degraded and inadequate for the traffic volumes being carried.

The upgrade is being undertaken by the City of Yarra with funding from the Federal Government's job-boosting economic stimulus package.

The City of Yarra has pledged to protect significant environmental and horticulture assets in the area.

At the time of writing full details of the diversion have not been made available, but it is expected to include a straightforward re-routing along Yarra Boulevard. Riding with children under 12 is permissible on footpaths, and it is expected that footpaths adjacent to the trail will remain open while construction is taking place. Riding families are encouraged to use the footpaths where practical.

Work will be tackled in stages, with construction starting at the Bridge Road end and continuing south to the Hawthorn Railway Bridge.

Dights Falls work alert

[UPDATE: Works complete as of 21 December 2009]

12 November 2009. Between now and Christmas, Melbourne Water is conducting geotechnical investigations into the structural integrity of the Dights Falls weir.

This investigation may occasionally result in delays along the Main Yarra Trail as vehicles will be accessing the work site along the banks of the Yarra via Trennery Crescent. A map of the works area and a public information bulletin can be found here.

Whenever vehicles will be accessing the area, Melbourne Water will have traffic management plans in place, so riders need only be aware that these works are happening. Work is expected to be confined to daylight hours during the week.

Jobs Fund boost for battered boardwalk

29 October 2009. Work will begin immediately on reconstructing the boardwalk on the Main Yarra Trail under the Wallen Road Bridge in Richmond, following the City of Yarra's successful application to the Federal Government's National Bike Paths Program.

The ageing and decaying boardwalk is being pulled up to be replaced with a recycled plastic decking. This work will begin on 4 November and is expected to last five weeks, into early December.

The work on the boardwalk is part of the City of Yarra's reconstruction of the Main Yarra Trail between the Gardiners Creek suspended path under the Monash Freeway, all the way north to Bridge Road. This section of the Main Yarra Trail will definitely benefit from work. The project will deliver a complete renovation of an early part of the trail.

Granted $639,000 from the federal government's Jobs Fund (National Bike Paths Program), the City of Yarra has matched the contribution and will be able to proceed with the balance of this renovation over the course of the next year.

Burnley scaffolding removed

26 October 2009. The scaffolding blocking the Main Yarra Trail at the M1 Burnley exit has been removed. The project that necessitated the scaffolding has not been completed, and because of significant delays, the scaffolding has been removed and the trail rehabilitated.

City of Yarra advises that this project will need to be revisited in the future, as the attempt to complete its goals were unsuccessful. Given that scaffolding may reappear at this location in the future, Bicycle Victoria will expect greater clarity in the future about any steps taken to block off that portion of the trail, and calls on all parties to work on minimizing any impact on this major commuter route from any future construction works.

 

Do they think we don't notice? [updated]

20 October 2009. The mystery scaffolding blocking nearly the entire width of the Main Yarra Trail at the M1 exit at Burnley is still in place despite assurances that it would be removed nine weeks ago.

[The site is now almost back to normal. CitiPower is now believed to be the culprit. Seems that a maintenance project has gone pear-shaped. Still, it would have been good to get some warning or advice from them]

A Bicycle Victoria member has recently pointed out that blocking one of Melbourne's major bike commuting routes for nine weeks (so far...) is completely unacceptable. Bicycle Victoria agrees with this assessment of the situation.

Leaving this scaffolding up for so long has strained the patience of the thousands of riders that use the Main Yarra Trail every day, and increased the risk of collision and injury.

This not only needs to be fixed; the cause needs to be identified and action taken to prevent a repetition.

Updates on Main Yarra Trail works

9 October 2009. Progress has been made on a number of works projects underway along the Main Yarra Trail over the past couple of months. This week saw a number of updates or milestones reached.

Mystery scaffolding -- amended removal date

The mystery scaffolding impinging on the Main Yarra Trail and the M1/Yarra Boulevard exit in Burnley, is expected to be removed today, 9 October 2009. Originally expected to be removed two weeks ago, the City of Yarra has since found the owner of the offending structure, and asked that it be removed properly by today.

South Yarra rail bridge diversion

The diversion, first discussed in mid-August, has been removed and full access to the Main Yarra Trail has been restored.

Odyssey House boardwalk

The work to upgrade the boardwalk along the Main Yarra Trail in front of Odyssey House in Lower Plenty near Westerfolds Park has been substantially completed, and access restored.

Mystery scaffolding to be pulled down

23 September 2009. Path blocking scaffolding on the Main Yarra Trail at the Yarra Boulevard exit of the M1 freeway in Burnley will be ripped down as the owner of the mystery construction project cannot be found.

The structure appeared several weeks ago but no-one has ever been seen working there. No notification was given or permission from authorities sought.

Such a structure, which squeezes the trail down to a narrow pathway, would not normally be approved.

The curious arrival of this scaffolding has flummoxed council officers who have been unable to identify the owner of the scaffolding or the nature of the project that is taking place.

The City of Yarra plans to pull the scaffolding down and restore this vital commuter route along the Trail. The City has exhausted its efforts to find out who the scaffolding belongs to, and so it will be removed, probably by the end of the week.

Somebody is in for a surprise.

River dredging to even out floating pontoons along the Trail

4 September 2009. Yesterday Parks Victoria began an eight-week dredging project along the Yarra River at two sites, at the entrance to Burnley Harbour, and between Punt Road to Cremorne Bridge. Work is currently progressing in Burnley Harbour and will begin in the river by next week.

The project is designed to remove the extensive silt that is building up and putting pressure on the three floating pontoon bridges along the Main Yarra Trail. This silt, if left to collect over time will cause damage to the bridges and potentially compromise the Trail.

Riders will welcome the dredging with open arms. Once completed, the issues that have been plaguing the pontoons of late, such as the increasing severity of the tilt of the bridges as they come to rest on the riverbed in low tides, will be resolved. The tilt of the pontoons damages the structure and erodes the safety and comfort of the ride along this stretch of the Trail. Not only will the dredging project extend the life of the pontoon bridges, it will improve the day-to-day ride experience.

The Trail will not be closed or inconvenienced during the coming eight weeks.

Update: Yarra Trail diversion in place

31 August 2009. The diversion of the Main Yarra Trail near the South Yarra Rail Bridge is now in effect.

Take care while riding through this area over the next month as the project is underway. The diversion is not of great standard having a steel plate surface and is very narrow. We have raised our concerns with the path manager, Parks Victoria, and asked that this be at minimum surfaced appropriately and widened. You can send your comments to Parks Victoria.

Yarra Trail diversion at Burnley

12 August 2009. Electricity infrastructure work by CityLink will require a one month diversion of the Yarra Trail at Burnley, near the South Yarra Rail Bridge.

A platform will be constructed to allow riders to ride around the blockage on the trail.

A diversion will be in place which will allow riders to ride past on a structural platform.

The job will start in late September and should take one month to complete.

Main Yarra Trail to close for new Boardwalk

10 August 2009. Plans to restore the boardwalk on the river side of Odyssey House at Montpelier Reserve in Lower Plenty will close the Main Yarra Trail for a period of about two months, starting from mid-August.

Parks Victoria has advised riders that a temporary path will be built around the north side of Odyssey House which will meet up again with the Main Yarra Trail on the west side of the facility by using Bonds Road.

The broad route of the temporary path is shown in the following map, as the final alignment of the temporary path has not been revealed.

Parks Victoria advises that the temporary path will be built with rough crushed gravel that may not be ideal for some bikes. Additionally, the proposed 1.8m width falls below the relevant standard.

Bicycle Victoria asked that these concerns be rectified by improving the quality of the path surface, and ensuring a width of at least 2.5m. Parks Victoria is proceeding with the original plan, citing the extra cost and the temporary nature of the alternative route.

Riders seeking further information on the closures should contact Parks Victoria.

In a flap about smoothness

7 October 2008. The infamous short, sharp shocks on the Burnley Pontoon are no longer, thanks to Parks Victoria.

The thousands of riders on the Yarra path each day can now cross the Burnley swinging pontoon without jarring their teeth loose following the replacement of the aluminium ramps with smoother varieties.

The approach surfaces have also been replaced with new epoxy coated seven ply sheeting, as have the ramps on the Mary Street to Swan Street exit.

Overhanging vegetation has been removed further west near the rail bridge and we are hopeful of further maintenance and improvements.

    

Report for Parks Victoria
Where did it start? In June an audit report on the northern Yarra Trail was completed by Bicycle Victoria on request from Parks Victoria. The report covers the section from Gardiners Creek Trail at St Kevins’ Boathouse on the Yarra Boulevard, through to Federation Square at Princes Bridge. Although Parks Victoria commissioned the audit the responsibility varies along the Trail to include cities of Melbourne and Yarra, Citylink and Parks Vic.
 
The Yarra Trail on the north bank of the Yarra River has been developed over the years primarily as a recreational trail with the final linking by pontoon paths on the north bank constructed by Parks Victoria. The Yarra Trail on the north bank now provides a very practical facility for commuting cyclists to access the CBD as well as a popular recreational path at weekends.
 
Originally the Trail was built to standards appropriate for the needs of recreational users, but now regular commuter cyclists have increased substantially, placing extra demands on the trail. An audit was therefore conducted to review the existing conditions in light of the today’s standards.
 
Auditing Method
The auditing method involved having an experienced cyclist ride the route at different times of the day and systematically photograph and record deficiencies in the path. Prior to the audit rides a number of comments by regular path users were noted for closer inspection in the field. Following the field audit rides an office review of the issues recorded was undertaken using Guide to Traffic Engineering Practice Part 14 – Bicycles, Austroads. 
 
Plans for Action
Parks Vic have started work or, in some cases, continued existing works, to progressively improve the Yarra Trail. Some of the recommended higher cost items will need to be funded and programmed in later budgets. Parks Vic are currently planning the next phase of works along the Yarra Trail. Parks Vic will also liaise with the other parties who are responsible for management of sections of the path.

City of Yarra wants to upgrade the Main Yarra Trail

22 September 08. The City of Yarra has applied to the State Government's Department of Sport and Recreation (SRV) for funds to upgrade the popular main Yarra Trail, between Gardiners Creek and Bridge Road.

This section of the path is now sub standard with a broken surface, poor alignment in many places and inadequate width to cater for the thousands of riders and other path users who enjoy it every day. You can view our letter of support here.

Ranked as the third highest participation activity in Australia, riding a bike may possibly be one of the best sport and recreation investments government can make.

Show your support by writing to the Minister of Sport and Recreation, James Merlino.

In August 2006 SRV funded the upgrade of the path between Gardiners Creek and MacRobertson Bridge (west of the current application site).

Refer below for more details. Bicycle Victoria believes the continuing upgrade of the path is warranted, especially by SRV, due to the high numbers of recreational users who are already taking advantage of the path, despite its poor state. The chart illustrates the benefits this investment could build on.

 

Main Yarra Trail Closure

May 07 Bank stabilisation & restoration works at the end of Crown Street, Richmond will necessitate a temporary closure of the Capital City Shared Trail between Annette's Place Park and Rydges Hotel.  To avoid major disruption to peak hour path traffic, closures will be scheduled between 10am-3pm next Wednesday & Thursday  (9th & 10th May 2007).

A map and detour signs will direct path users up to River Street and back to the Main Yarra Shared Trail.

For further information you can email Craig McGrath at mcgrathc@yarracity.vic.gov.au. City of Yarra apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Main Yarra Trail closure between MacRobertson Bridge and Burnley Harbour

26 April 07 Unfortunately there have been some issues with the drilling equipment, and a further day's work is required. The works that were due to finish on Thursday April 26, will now finish on Friday April 27. Transurban are working with Parks Victoria to alter the signage and on-site arrangements (the works will continue to take place outside commuter peak periods).

April 07 Parks Victoria, in conjunction with Transurban and the City of Yarra are to close the Main Yarra Trail for a period of six working days from Wednesday 18th April to Thursday 26th April 2007. The trail will be closed each day between 9.30am and 4.00pm therefore avoiding peak commuter periods.

Wednesday 18th April       - closed 9.30am – 4.00pm.

Thursday     19th April      - closed 9.30am – 4.00pm.

Friday          20th April     - closed 9.30am – 4.00pm.

Saturday      21st April     - open all day.

Sunday        22nd April     - open all day.

Monday       23rd April      - closed 9.30am – 4.00pm.

Tuesday      24th April      - closed 9.30am – 4.00pm.

Wednesday 25th April      - open all day (public holiday).

Thursday     26th April      - closed 9.30am – 4.00pm.

Friday         27th April      - closed 9.30am – 4.00pm.

The closure is required for drilling works as part of the Monash-CityLink-West Gate upgrade. Bicycle Victoria will continue to work with Transurban and VicRoads to make sure interruptions are kept to a minimum during the road upgrade.

MacRobertson Bridge to St Kevins Boathouse

 

August 06 The Path is now complete and once again a major route for riders coming or going between Melbourne and the eastern suburbs. A smooth surface and clear delineation ensures this section of path is not only safe for all users but also easier to ride.

July 06 The final coat of asphalt has been laid and linemarking is now complete. Congratulations to the City of Yarra and Sports and Recreation Victoria for funding this project.

May 06 Reconstruction of this section of trail has begun. Two existing poor-quality trails will be replaced by one high-quality trail that is at least 3-metres wide. Cyclists will be diverted onto Yarra Boulevard during the construction period, which is expected to take 10 weeks and will be completed by mid July.

 

 

 

 

 

Floating Path Issues: MacRobertson Bridge to Northbank (Parks Victoria)

June 06 Ice Warning.

The floating pontoons can develop a layer of ice in the early morning and some riders have fallen as a result. Please take care, especially on the concrete sections which is where riders report ice. It appears that the anti-slip treatment to the metal joining plates has been successful.

Parks Victoria are still investigating options to improve the slippery and hazardous conditions on cold mornings. Warning signs to alert cyclists of the danger will be installed in the next couple of days .

January 06 Dangerous gaps have been appearing between sections of the floating path and some on ramps. Unfortunately this has resulted in at least one injury this year. Parks Victoria is currently looking at long term options to fix the problem, which occurs during times of low tide. In the interim an additional metal plate has been added to cover the gap on the worst ramp and warning signs have been installed.

Please slow down and take care when riding on the floating pontoon, especially at ramps and bends.

July 05 After a spate of recent accidents on the floating pontoon up stream of the Punt Rd. Parks Victoria is investigating options to improve the safety on the pontoon for all cyclists.

It apears that on very cold mornings ice builds up on the metal joints between the pontoons and the white centre line making it very slippery and hazardous.

Parks Victoria plans on scraping up the current white centre line in the coming week and replacing it with a 'grippier' painted line. Parks Victoria will also be installing signs warning of the hazards.

Please slow down and take care when riding on the floating pontoon.

Mullum Mullum Creek to Westerfolds Park (City of Manningham)

Jan 06 The bridge on the trail near Petty's Orchard has been condemned by engineers as it has significant rust in its understructure. Parks Victoria have secured funding for a replacement which we have been advised should be installed by the end of February.

Jun 04 Access to the Main Yarra Trail has been improved with the construction of a new pedestrian/cycle bridge over the Yarra River in Eltham.

Manningham and Nillumbik councils constructed the bridge which links the Main Yarra Trail with the Diamond Creek Trail at Eltham Lower Park (Melway 21 H11).

Previously cyclists has to use the Fitzsimmons Lane road bridge to access the Main Yarra Trail which offered a low level of service as it was on a steep hill and ran alongside a noisy and busy road.

Westerfolds Park to Burke Rd (City of Banyule)

Jun 05 Banyule Bicycle Users Group carried out an audit of the Yarra Trail in Banyule as are concerned that some sections of the trail are unsafe.

Some of the issues they identified include loose gravel on hill, trail too narrow, overgrown vegetation on trail, blind corners and steps. The BUG made a submission to Council of the problems they identified.

The photo (right) shows a narrow section of trail near Warringal Park which is not wide enough for path users travelling in the opposite direction to comfortably pass.

The underpass beneath the Banksia Rd bridge is particularly unsafe with the combination of a blind corner and an extremely steep slope. Alternatives should be investigated.

Burke Rd to Yarra Bend Park (City of Boroondara)

Dec 05 A new high quality trail has been constructed linking the Main Yarra Trail to the eastern side of the Chandler Highway. The new trail runs along side the Guide Dogs Victoria property. Congratulations to Boroondara BUG who worked with the council in designing the new section of trail. Unfortunately though, users of the main yarra Trail still have to negotiate a steep staiarcase to the west of the Chandler Highway in Yarra Bend Park (see below). The section of trail between Willow Grove and Belford Road have also been greatly improved.

Feb 05 Signage and linemarking on sections of the Main Yarra Trail has improved navigation, especially at the intersection with the Koonung Trail. Previously people often missed the turn over the bridge to continue along the Yarra Trail and found themselves using the Koonung Trail instead.

Yarra Bend Park (Parks Victoria)

Jun 06 The design process is well underway for a new the alignment of the trail that will by-pass the existing steps and dangerous windy steep sections of trail. Bicycle Victoria is happy with the concept design that has been proposed by the project team. More detailed design works are now being undertaken.

Oct 05 Design funding announced. After Bicycle Victoria members wrote over 500 letters earlier this year, Minister Thwaites has announced a new fund for the Metropolitan Trail Network (MTN). Funding for the MTN now meets the state government’s 2002 election promise; however more money will be needed to fund critical projects.

The new fund will provide $25,000 towards the design of a new alignment of the Main Yarra Trail in Yarra Bend Park, as an alternative to steps to the west of the Chandler Highway.While the funding of the design is a commendable step, current government funding will not be able to build this project in the near future. A commitment of significant additional funding will be required within the next year. We believe that increasing the Metropolitan Trail Network annual funding to five million dollars could deliver this and other important projects on the trail network.

May 05 Bicycle Victoria met on site with Boroondara BUG and Parks Victoria to see how the steps at Chandler Hwy can be eliminated and the connection to the pipe bridge over the Yarra River be improved.

It was agreed at the site meeting that a gentler sloped ramps should be installed that comes out at the Boulevard further up the hill. The existing temporary ramp is a former goat track which does not follow the best alignment.

Formalising and sealing an existing dirt track leading from the Boulevard down to the pipeline bridge would eliminate the climb to the top of the hill and the switchback path down to the pipe bridge.

The park is managed by Parks Victoria on behalf of the Yarra Bend Park Trust. Park rangers have prepared a brief for the design of works from Chandler Hwy to the pipeline bridge.

For more see Boroondara BUG website.

Bicycle Victoria also suggested line marking to help people follow the Main Yarra Trail through Yarra Bend Park.

Yarra Bend Park to MacRobertson Bridge (City of Yarra)

In 2003 Bicycle Victoria participated in a trail audit to identify problem spots and sections which require upgrading. A high priority is addressing the issue of the staircase at Gipps St, which prevents sections of the community from accessing the trail. See brewery path for more.

Jan 06 The City of Yarra is about to complete the design of an upgrade of the the Main Yarra Trail between MacRoberston Bridge and Gardniers Creek Bridge. It is hoped that construction will begin in the next few months and will be finished by the end of June, 2006. One new trail trail that is at least 3 metres wide (with no wooden planks) will replace the current two poor quality trails. 

Jun 05 Yarra Council is investigating upgrading the Main Yarra Trail between MacRoberston Bridge and Gardniers Creek Bridge. This section has wooden boardwalks and the existing trail is narrow and in poor condition.

MacRobertson Bridge (Cities of Yarra, Stonnington and VicRoads)

The narrow footpath on the side of MacRobertson Bridge is the only way trail users can cross the river. Signs on either side advise cyclists to dismount and there is inadequate space for 2 people to safely pass on the bridge.

We would like to see investigations take place to see how an improved crossing can be developed.

MacRobertson Bridge to Southbank (City of Stonnington)

In 2003 City of Stonnington marked a centre line along the trail which helps to remind users to keep left and stay on the trail without taking a wrong turn. Unfortunately the line marking runs out before MacRoberston bridge.

When trail users come up from the river bank to the road the trail seems to disappear. A white centre line guiding people to the footpath over the bridge will help eliminate confusion.

The path along the south side of the river in  Stonnington is starting to show its age. It was one of the first shared paths built in Melbourne and is narrow in places. As part of the Stonnington Bicycle Strategy being developed in 2005, we would like to see upgrades to this trail included.

Southbank and Northbank in the CBD (City of Melbourne)

For more information on improvements and campaigns see Northbank & Southbank page.

 

No cars on Salt Creek Bridge

 

Sep 06 Despite the best efforts of outspoken anti-cycling councillor, Dean Sherriff, The Main Yarra Trail will remain a car free zone. A motion had been put to council for vehicular access over the bridge along the Main Yarra Trail. Banyule Council have voted to keep the bridge closed to vehicles, but only for 12 months. An alternate motion was put to Council requesting that a second bridge (to the east of the existing one) be built to realign the Main Yarra Trail and then allow the Tennis Club members to drive over the existing bridge. It was also revealed at last night's council meeting that the St Johns church is possibly looking to develop the tennis court land in the future, with vehicle access across the bridge being their preferred option.

Bicycle Victoria is strongly opposed to sacrificing riders' and pedestrians' safety, especially when there is already ample access from their existing carpark or by simply walking 50 metres from the north, across the bridge. We also do not believe that path users' needs should be swept aside for potential future development.

Off road path could be used by cars

Aug 06 Cyclists and pedestrians could be forced to share the Salt Creek Bridge with cars if a current application to Banyule Council is successful. The nearby Tennis Club has applied to Banyule City Council to allow a small number of members to drive over the 3 metre wide bridge from the north side, despite already having a large carpark next to the clubhouse and another carpark on the north side of Salt Creek a short walk away. Bicycle Victoria has written to Banyule City Council expressing our concern that users of the Main Yarra Trail will be placed in danger and asked that they reject this application. See the letter to Council for more.

See Also

See the Inner: Monash-CityLink-West Gate Upgrade page for Main Yarra Trail detours and closures relating specifically to this project.

You can register for updates to this page (see the ‘Email me updates on this subject’ link), and you will be emailed when important updates are posted.